BOLTZMANN'S EQUATIONS WITH BREMSSTRAHLUNG.
Abstract
The power density of bremsstrahlung radiation from a fully ionized plasma is developed from a binary collision analysis which includes the Debye shielding length in a consistent way. A cutoff in the minimum impact parameter is used which is completely consistent with a wide variety of velocity distribution functions including the Maxwellian equilibrium states. The power density is shown to vary linearly with the temperature for a Maxwellian plasma rather than with the square root of the temperature as predicted from Kramers' model. Above 4700 Kelvin the power density from the formula predicts a higher rate of bremsstrahlung emission. These results are used to develop a tractable form for inelastic collision integrals in Boltzmann's equations. Suitable moments of these Boltzmann's equations give the radiation cooling equations which replace the fluid conservation equations for momentum and energy density. The cooling terms are evaluated for Maxwellian plasma. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0640401
Entities
People
- Alan V. Oppenheim
Organizations
- Columbia University