Magnetic field modification to the relativistic runaway electron avalanche length

Abstract

AbstractThis paper explores the impact of the geomagnetic field on the relativistic runaway electron avalanche length, . Coleman and Dwyer (2006) developed an analytical fit to Monte Carlo simulations using the Runaway Electron Avalanche Model. In this work, we repeat this process but with the addition of the geomagnetic field in the range of [100,900]/n μT, where n is the ratio of the density of air at altitude to the sea level density. As the ambient electric field approaches the runaway threshold field (Eth≈284 kV/m sea level equivalent), it is shown that the magnetic field has an impact on the orientation of the resulting electron beam. The runaway electrons initially follow the vertically oriented electric field but then are deflected in the v × B direction, and as such, the electrons experience more dynamic friction due to the increase in path length. This will be shown to result in a difference in the avalanche length from the case where B = 0. It will also be shown that the average energy of the runaway electrons will decrease while the required electric field to produce runaway electrons increases. This study is also important in understanding the physics of terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs). Not only will this work impact relativistic feedback rates determined from simulations, it may also be useful in studying spectroscopy of TGFs observed from balloon and aircraft measurements. These models may also be used in determining beaming properties of TGFs originating in the tropical regions seen from orbiting spacecraft.