Ion Runaway in Lightning Discharges
Author(s)
Landreman, Matthew Joseph; Fulop, T.
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Runaway ions can be produced in plasmas with large electric fields, where the accelerating electric force is augmented by the low mean ionic charge due to the imbalance between the number of electrons and ions. Here we derive an expression for the high-energy tail of the ion distribution function in lightning discharges and investigate the energy range that the ions can reach. We also estimate the corresponding energetic proton and neutron production due to fusion reactions.
Date issued
2013-07Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Plasma Science and Fusion CenterJournal
Physical Review Letters
Publisher
American Physical Society
Citation
Fülöp, T., and M. Landreman. “Ion Runaway in Lightning Discharges.” Physical Review Letters 111, no. 1 (July 2013). © 2013 American Physical Society
Version: Final published version
ISSN
0031-9007
1079-7114