Modeling of thermalization of fast electrons in nitrogen at low pressures

We have performed simulations of electron thermalization in pure nitrogen under conditions that correspond to the upper layers of the earth's atmosphere. As opposed to the results from the literature we have shown that it is necessary to include multiple excitations due to secondary electrons....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plasma sources science & technology 2009-08, Vol.18 (3), p.034017-034017 (6)
Main Authors: LJ PETROVIC, Z, STOJANOVIC, V, NIKITOVIC, Z
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arcs, sparks, lightning
Electric discharges
Exact sciences and technology
Physics
Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges
Physics of plasmas and electric discharges
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Summary:We have performed simulations of electron thermalization in pure nitrogen under conditions that correspond to the upper layers of the earth's atmosphere. As opposed to the results from the literature we have shown that it is necessary to include multiple excitations due to secondary electrons. We have also shown that direct calculations may be achieved very accurately without limiting them to the maximum range though it may be a useful concept for modeling of experiments. The present data may be used as a basis for modeling of the entry of high energy cosmic rays into the atmosphere, for studies of the initiation of lightning discharges in the upper atmosphere including auxiliary phenomena such as sprites and elves and for modeling of the laboratory discharges at high E/N. The connection is made even more relevant through normalization of the cross section data to the swarm data.
ISSN:0963-0252
1361-6595
DOI:10.1088/0963-0252/18/3/034017