Thunderstorm neutrons

被引：24

作者：

Babich, L. P. ^{[1
]}

机构：

[1] All Russian Sci Res Inst Expt Phys, Russian Fed Nucl Ctr, Prosp Mira 37, Sarov 607188, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

来源：

PHYSICS-USPEKHI | 2019年 / 62卷 / 10期

关键词：

thunderstorm atmosphere; high-energy electrons; bremsstrahlung gamma rays; nuclear reactions; neutrons; positrons; annihilation; GAMMA-RAY FLASHES; RUNAWAY ELECTRON AVALANCHE; X-RAYS; RELATIVISTIC ELECTRONS; COSMIC-RAYS; DENSE-GAS; RADIATION; DISCHARGES; GENERATION; BURSTS;

D O I：

10.3367/UFNe.2018.12.038501

中图分类号：

O4 [物理学];

学科分类号：

0702 ;

摘要：

To assess the current state of studies of nuclear reactions in thunderstorms, observational data are reviewed on the neutron flux enhancement in thunderclouds and during thunderstorms related to photonuclear reactions because of the bremsstrahlung of the avalanches of high-energy runaway electrons that can develop in thunderstorm electric fields. Selecting thunderstorm neutrons is a challenging problem, since detectors are affected by a mixed field of various penetrating radiations that also includes, apart from neutrons, primary high-energy electrons and their bremsstrahlung. Special attention is given to the discovery of the electron-positron annihilation line with the photon energy of 0.511 MeV in a thundercloud and on Earth's surface during thunderstorms, providing trustworthy evidence of neutron production by thunderstorms and the photonuclear origin of thunderstorm neutrons. The consequences of this discovery are discussed.

引用

页码：976 / 999

页数：24

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