Electron distribution function in a plasma generated by fission fragments
Abstract
A Boltzmann equation formulation is presented for the determination of the electron distribution function in a plasma generated by fission fragments. The formulation takes into consideration ambipolar diffusion, elastic and inelastic collisions, recombination and ionization, and allows for the fact that the primary electrons are not monoenergetic. Calculations for He in a tube coated with fissionable material shows that, over a wide pressure and neutron flux range, the distribution function is non-Maxwellian, but the electrons are essentially thermal. Moreover, about a third of the energy of the primary electrons is transferred into the inelastic levels of He. This fraction of energy transfer is almost independent of pressure and neutron flux.
- Publication:
-
Physics of Fluids
- Pub Date:
- December 1976
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.861432
- Bibcode:
- 1976PhFl...19.2005H
- Keywords:
-
- Boltzmann Transport Equation;
- Electron Distribution;
- Fission Products;
- Fissionable Materials;
- Plasma Generators;
- Ambipolar Diffusion;
- Electron Recombination;
- Electron Scattering;
- Electron Transfer;
- Fragments;
- Neutron Flux Density;
- Pressure Effects;
- Nuclear and High-Energy Physics