Analysis of a laboratory experiment on neutron generation by discharges in the open atmosphere

Babich, L. P.

doi:10.1103/physrevc.92.044602

“…We did not found any convincing expla- * oginov@lebedev.ru nation for observed high values of neutron flux according to the registration in the CR-39 track detectors. A detailed theoretical analysis of various nuclear reactions which could contribute to this flux is presented in [11], and it ends with conclusion that the "known fundamental interactions cannot allow prescribing the observed events to neutrons".…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observation of hard radiations in a laboratory atmospheric high-voltage discharge

Agafonov,

Bogachenkov,

Chubenko

et al. 2016

Preprint

0

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The new results concerning neutron emission detection from a laboratory high-voltage discharge in the air are presented. Data were obtained with a combination of plastic scintillation detectors and 3 He filled counters of thermal neutrons. Strong dependence of the hard x-ray and neutron radiation appearance on the field strength near electrodes, which is determined by their form, was found. We have revealed a more sophisticated temporal structure of the neutron bursts observed during of electric discharge. This may indicate different mechanisms for generating penetrating radiation at the time formation and development of the atmospheric discharge.

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“…We did not found any convincing expla- * oginov@lebedev.ru nation for observed high values of neutron flux according to the registration in the CR-39 track detectors. A detailed theoretical analysis of various nuclear reactions which could contribute to this flux is presented in [11], and it ends with conclusion that the "known fundamental interactions cannot allow prescribing the observed events to neutrons". Insufficient knowledge on physical processes which could take place at the initial stage of the atmospheric discharge and the complexity of any self-consistent numerical simulation of this phenomenon determines the need for a comprehensive experimental study of the formation of discharge and diagnosis of different accompanying radiations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observation of hard radiations in a laboratory atmospheric high-voltage discharge

Агафонов

¹

,

Bogachenkov

²

,

Chubenko

³

et al. 2017

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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The new results concerning neutron emission detection from a laboratory high-voltage discharge in the air are presented. Data were obtained with a combination of plastic scintillation detectors and 3 He filled counters of thermal neutrons. Strong dependence of the hard x-ray and neutron radiation appearance on the field strength near electrodes, which is determined by their form, was found. We have revealed a more sophisticated temporal structure of the neutron bursts observed during of electric discharge. This may indicate different mechanisms for generating penetrating radiation at the time formation and development of the atmospheric discharge.

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Numerical simulation of electric field enhancement at the contact of positive and negative streamers in relation to the problem of runaway electron generation in lightning and in long laboratory sparks

Babich¹,

Bochkov²

2017

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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The hypothetical mechanism of electric field amplification at contact of positive and negative streamers in a streamer corona up to magnitudes required for the generation of runaway electrons and secondary Bremsstrahlung in the x-ray range, observed in long spark discharges in the open atmosphere, is analyzed. The development of two streamers, moving towards each other in interelectrode gaps of the centimetre range, is numerically simulated at applied voltages from 73 to 250 kV. It is shown that the size of the domain with strong electric field, with intensity sufficient for the thermal electron runaway, is of 1-2 mm. The mean field intensity in this domain increases up to magnitudes of ≈250-280 kV cm −1 . The maximum energy, to which electrons are capable of energizing in such field, is in the range of 20-70 keV. However, the electron energy is limited by an extremely small life-time of the strong field domain (less than 20 ps).

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Analysis of a laboratory experiment on neutron generation by discharges in the open atmosphere

Cited by 6 publications

References 72 publications

Observation of hard radiations in a laboratory atmospheric high-voltage discharge

Observation of hard radiations in a laboratory atmospheric high-voltage discharge

Observation of hard radiations in a laboratory atmospheric high-voltage discharge

Numerical simulation of electric field enhancement at the contact of positive and negative streamers in relation to the problem of runaway electron generation in lightning and in long laboratory sparks

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