Comparison of relativistic runaway electron avalanche rates obtained from Monte Carlo simulations and kinetic equation solution

Author

Babich, Leonid P. ; Donskoy, Evgenii N. ; Kutsyk, Igor M. ; Kudryavtsev, Andrei Yu ; Roussel-Dupré, Robert A. ; Shamraev, Boris N. ; Symbalisty, Eugene M D

Author_Institution

VNIIE, Moscow, Russia

Volume

29

Issue

3

fYear

2001

fDate

6/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

430

Lastpage

438

Abstract

New computer simulations of the relativistic runaway electron avalanche mechanism were carried out to remove prior approximations and reassess the space and temporal scales predicted by previous Boltzmann calculations. Two Monte Carlo techniques, a finite-difference solution, and a finite-volume solution of the kinetic equation for high-energy electrons were employed. Results obtained for the length and time scales at sufficiently high electric fields by the different methods are consistent with each other and with analytical estimates. The physical reason for the remaining discrepancy at small fields is discussed

Keywords

Monte Carlo methods; electron avalanches; finite difference methods; finite volume methods; plasma kinetic theory; plasma simulation; relativistic plasmas; Boltzmann calculations; Monte Carlo simulations; Monte Carlo techniques; analytical estimates; computer simulations; discrepancy; electron avalanche mechanism; finite-difference solution; finite-volume solution; high electric fields; high-energy electrons; kinetic equation; kinetic equation solution; length scales; physical reason; relativistic runaway electron avalanche mechanism; relativistic runaway electron avalanche rates; small fields; space scales; temporal scales; time scales; Avalanche breakdown; Clouds; Computer simulation; Drag; Electrons; Equations; Finite difference methods; Ionization; Kinetic theory; Monte Carlo methods;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/27.928940

Filename

928940