Plasma and Fusion Research

Volume 7, 1204038 (2012)

Rapid Communications

Role of Field and Electron Impact Ionization in Ionization Front Generated by an Intense Electron Beam
Susumu KATO, Yasuaki KISHIMOTO1), Eiichi TAKAHASHI and Akira SASAKI2)
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan
1)
Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
2)
Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), 8-1-7 Umemidai, Kizu, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
(Received 6 February 2012 / Accepted 5 March 2012 / Published 10 May 2012)

Abstract

The interaction of an intense electron beam with a neutral background material is studied. The neutral material is ionized by the electrostatic field generated by the intense electron beam and electron impact ionization. The structure of the ionization front is analyzed using a one-dimensional model. The structure is determined primarily by electron impact ionization of the ionized background electrons. In addition, the field ionization contributes to the generation of the ionization front by increasing the density of the electron beam.

Keywords

ionization front, intense electron beam, field ionization, electron impact ionization

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.7.1204038

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This paper may be cited as follows:

Susumu KATO, Yasuaki KISHIMOTO, Eiichi TAKAHASHI and Akira SASAKI, Plasma Fusion Res. 7, 1204038 (2012).