Generation Possibility of Gamma‐Ray Glows Induced by Photonuclear Reactions. Issue 3 (8th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Diniz, G. S.; Ferreira, I. S.; Wada, Y.; Enoto, T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 126:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-02-08
• Subjects: Beta Decay -- Gamma‐ray glow -- Neutron emission -- RREA; Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1029/2020JD034101
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-897X

Abstract

Abstract: Relativistic runaway electron avalanches (RREAs) imply a large multiplication of high‐energy electrons (∼1 MeV). Two factors are necessary for this phenomenon: a high electric field sustained over a large distance and an energetic particle to serve as a seed. The former sustains particle energies as they keep colliding and lose energy randomly; and the latter serves as a multiplication starting point that promotes avalanches. RREA is usually connected to both terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes (TGFs) and gamma‐ray glows (also known as Thunderstorm Ground Enhancement (TGE) when detected at ground level) as possible generation mechanism of both events, but the current knowledge does not provide a clear relationship between these events (TGF and TGE), beyond their possible common source mechanism, still as they have different characteristics. In particular, their timescales differ by several orders of magnitude. This work shows that chain reactions by TGF byproducts can continue for the timescale of gamma‐ray glows and even provide energetic particles as seeds for RREAs of gamma‐ray glows. Key Points: Photonuclear reactions triggered by a terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes (TGF) will sustain a gamma‐ray emission level that can promote new relativistic runaway electron avalanches (RREAs) Both photonuclear reactions and their induced RREA can extend TGF effects to minute timescale We evaluate the possibility of gamma‐ray glows promoted by RREAs originating from photonuclear‐induced nuclides decays