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Simulations of streamer encounters show that while electron densities and electric fields intensify, the small scale and duration limit electron energy. This energy is insufficient to explain observed MeV X-rays, suggesting a need for larger scale or longer duration field enhancements.

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Area of Science:

  • Physics
  • Plasma Physics
  • High-Voltage Engineering

Background:

  • High-voltage laboratory experiments generate X-rays up to 1 MeV from air discharges.
  • These X-rays are hypothesized to originate from bremsstrahlung radiation.
  • Bremsstrahlung is proposed to result from electrons accelerated by enhanced electric fields during streamer collisions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of X-ray generation in high-voltage air discharges.
  • To conduct the first self-consistent particle simulations of streamer encounters.
  • To analyze electron dynamics and electric field behavior during streamer collisions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a 2-D, cylindrically symmetric, particle-in-cell code.
  • Traced electron dynamics and solved space charge fields.
  • Incorporated a Monte Carlo scheme for collisions and ionization.

Main Results:

  • Simulated electron density reached 2 x 10^21 m^-3.
  • Electric field enhanced to ~9 times breakdown field over ~10^-11 s.
  • Electron energy distribution became nearly isotropic, consistent with X-ray emission patterns.
  • Maximum simulated electron energy was ~600 eV, insufficient for observed MeV X-rays.

Conclusions:

  • The simulated streamer encounter region is too small and brief to accelerate electrons to energies required for MeV X-ray production.
  • Larger spatial regions and/or longer durations of electric field enhancement are necessary to explain observed X-ray energies.
  • Further research should focus on mechanisms leading to sustained, large-scale field enhancements in streamer interactions.