Re: [TCML] small ionizing source on top of toroid

[William Beaty <billb@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wed, 12 Nov 2008, Frosty wrote:

> I remember reading once that it is thought that natural lightning can
> achieve such huge 'spark lengths' at relativley low voltages because of
> avalanche break down from (ionizing) cosmic rays.

Here's the review article about this, from Physics Today magazine:

  Runaway Breakdown and the Mysteries of Lightning  2005  Gurevich & Zybin
  http://www.phy.olemiss.edu/~jgladden/phys510/spring06/Gurevich.pdf


Note what's discussed: sparks which are "seeded" with relativistic
electrons will travel 10^2- 10^4 times farther than ordinary sparks at the
same values of potential.  Just imagine: a TC which normally puts out
1-meter sparks might start creating 10-meter sparks.  Or 100 meters.  (Or
10KM?!!!)


(((((((((((((((((( ( (  (   (    (O)    )   )  ) ) )))))))))))))))))))
William J. Beaty                http://staff.washington.edu/wbeaty/
beaty chem washington edu       Research Engineer
billbamascicom                  UW Chem Dept,  Bagley Hall RM74
206-543-6195                    Box 351700, Seattle, WA 98195-1700
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