MODELING OF ELECTRON STREAM DISCHARGE

Particle-in-cell Monte Carlo code is used to simulate gas discharge in itiated by a high current (I-e approximate to 10kA) middle energy (eps ilon(e) approximate to 10 keV) hot (delta(e) approximate to 1 keV) ele ctron stream. The generation of such an overthermal electron stream ha s been clearly demonstrated at the experimental REBEX facility during the relativistic electron beam-plasma interaction. When the electron b eam (represented by approximate to 1000 macroparticles) is injected in to the drift tube filled by neutral gas (hydrogen, p = 13.3-133 Pa) tw o different stages are observed. During the initial stage the arising Virtual Cathode (VC) is filled by hydrogen ions. The VC disappears whe n the quasineutrality of ionized gas is achieved. Then the severe expo nential growth of electron and ion component of ionized gas is observe d.