Propagation of a dense relativistic electron beam through a gas

The ionization front induced by a relativistic high-density electron beam in a gas was studied in a one-dimensional (1D) approximation. The expression for the beam density corresponding to a steady front propagation was found in the limit of large (similar to c) and small (< c) front velocities. The corresponding expression for front velocity was also found and the validity of the approximations used was verified. Finally, the values of front velocity and beam density were calculated for a wide range of beam energies and gas densities. The calculated values of the front velocity are in good agreement with the experimental data [D. Batani, S. D. Baton, M. Manclossi , Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 055004 (2005).]. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.