The runaway effect in a fully ionized plasma

Abstract

The conditions for producing runaway electrons in a fully ionized gas are considered, using Chandrasekhar's coefficient of dynamic friction. The runaway currents emitted continuously from linear plasmas are then estimated and are shown to be in agreement within an order of magnitude with the results from some preliminary experimental work. The rate of increase of runaway currents in closed circuits, such as toroidal plasmas, is estimated and is found to be proportional to t ² (t = time). From some recently published results with toroidal plasmas it is shown that the runaway current, provided it is contained and is not drastically affected by the magnetic fields, can rapidly become comparable in value with the conduction current. In the experimental work with linear plasmas, x-rays were observed having an energy greater than the applied potential difference to the apparatus.