Full hydrodynamic and electromagnetic treatment of plasma channel formation in the atmosphere by an ultrarelativistic high power electron beam

Various experimental studies have been made of high power electron beam transport in a neutral gas, but information obtained on such secondary plasma properties as chemical composition, electron density and kinetic temperature, plasma dynamics, is almost non-existent. Apart from rough evaluations, two theoretical works (1 + 2) (3) have been devoted to this question. Both are based on simplifying assumptions which limit their validity range : the plasma channel is geometrically restricted to the beam, it is quasineutral and highly collisional. These assumptions are dropped in the present model which is therefore able to describe the plasma channel in any stage of its boring.