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Self-sustained relativistic-runaway-electron avalanches in the transverse field of lightning leader as sources of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes

  • Plasma, Hydro- and Gas Dynamics
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Abstract

The possibility of the development of self-sustained discharge in the transverse electric field of the lightning leader in the mode of generating relativistic-runaway-electron avalanches, supported by positive relativistic feedback with the participation of high-energy bremsstrahlung and positrons generated by the avalanches themselves, is analyzed. For a cylindrical geometry of the leader, the threshold of switching on the feedback was shown to be rather low. It was demonstrated that the discharge may be the source of pulses of penetrating emissions observed in the correlation with thunderstorm activity, the characteristics of which are well reproduced in the cylindrical-leader model. The penetrating emissions generated in the vicinity of the leader may be dangerous to the electronic equipment of aircrafts, as well as airplane passengers and crews.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Russian Federal Nuclear Center VNIIEF, Sarov, Nizhni Novgorod region, 607188, Russia

    I. M. Kutsyk, L. P. Babich & E. N. Donskoi

Authors
  1. I. M. Kutsyk
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  2. L. P. Babich
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  3. E. N. Donskoi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. P. Babich.

Additional information

Original Russian Text © I.M. Kutsyk, L.P. Babich, E.N. Donskoi, 2011, published in Pis’ma v Zhurnal Eksperimental’noi i Teoreticheskoi Fiziki, 2011, Vol. 94, No. 8, pp. 647–650.

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Kutsyk, I.M., Babich, L.P. & Donskoi, E.N. Self-sustained relativistic-runaway-electron avalanches in the transverse field of lightning leader as sources of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes. Jetp Lett. 94, 606–609 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0021364011200094

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0021364011200094

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