Generation of Tenuous Plasma Clouds in the Earth's Atmosphere
Abstract
Mean electron lifetimes and ionization techniques relevant to generating and sustaining a tenuous plasma in the Earth's atmosphere are presented. The mean electron lifetime, as a function of electron number density and altitude, was quantified by developing an air chemistry code. The code models deionization for initial conditions appropriate to single pulse electron beam or X ray ionization of the atmosphere from sea level to 100,000 ft. The deionization model indicates that three-body attachment of electrons of oxygen is the dominate process for electron densities less that 10 to the 16th power 3/ cu.m. For densities above 10 to the 18th power 3/cu.m tow body and three body electron ion recombination dominates and reduces the electron lifetime several orders of magnitude. An electron number density of 10 to the 18th power 3/cu.m is the highest number density that can be efficiently sustained a severe reduction in electron lifetime. The electrical conductivity corresponding to 10 to the 18th power electrons/3/cu.m in the atmosphere is about 5/mho-m, i.e., the conductivity of seawater. It is suggested that a large plasma cloud could function as an electromagnetic absorber. Keywords: Atmospheric Plasma; Broadband Absorption; Electron Lifetime; Plasma Antenna.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA177374
Entities
People
- Robert J. Vidmar
Organizations
- SRI International