Results of Limitations on Space Current Densities in Galactic and Intergalactic Space

Abstract

The accepted view as to the very high electrical conductivity of space has raised difficulties in mechanisms concerning the production of cosmic-ray energies. It is to be observed that high conductivity does not avoid the existence of a saturation on current density, $i$, which is equal to nec, where $n$ is the sum of the numbers of positive and negative ions per cc. Thus for $n=1\mathrm{}$, the saturation current density is of the order 5×${10}^{-9\mathrm{}}$ ampere/${\mathrm{cm}}^2$. The effect of saturation is illustrated by the following idealized conditions.