Physics of high-intensity high-energy particle beam propagation in open air and outer-space plasmas

Abstract

This report is a self-contained and comprehensive review of the physics of propagating pulses of high-intensity high-energy particle beams in pre-existing or self-generated plasmas. Consideration is given to beams of electrons, protons, muons, and their antiparticles, as well as to neutral-hydrogen, positronium, and electron-positron-plasmoid beams. The first part is a systematic overview of the theory pertaining to propagation, plasma self-generation, energy/current-losses, and stability of such pulses. The second part reviews the major full-scale propagation experiments which have been carried out, in atmospheric and outer-space plasmas, to assess the validity of theoretical models. It is found that the data available on these experiments demonstrate that range and stability are in agreement with theory. In particular, stable self-pinched propagation of high-current charged-particle beams in the atmosphere is possible over distances equal to several Nordsieck lengths. In order not to be deflected by Earth's magnetic field, electron-beam pulses need to be guided by a pre-formed channel, while proton-beam pulses may under suitable conditions propagate undeflected through both the low- and high-atmosphere. In ionospheric or outer-space plasmas, very-long-range propagation across Earth's magnetic field requires GeV to TeV electrons or positron beams in order for the transverse deflection to be acceptable, while undeflected propagation is possible for plasmoid beams consisting of co-moving high-energy particle pairs such as electrons and positrons.