Introduction
Cosmic rays are high energy sub-atomic
particles from outside of the solar system which contains mostly protons and
alpha particles (Usoskin et al, 2004). Cosmic rays are associated with
electromagnetic radiations and can travel at nearly the speed of light with
enormous energy in the range 0.1-15Gev (Devendraa and Singh, 2010). Most cosmic
rays are thought to originate outside the solar system, with many coming from
within our Milky Way galaxy, and a few arriving from other galaxies. Cosmic ray
causes ionization in the atmosphere.
When cosmic rays enter the earth’s atmosphere,
they collide with ambient atmospheric gas molecules thereby ionizing them. In this process the may produce secondary
particles which can be sufficiently energetic to contribute themselves to
further ionization of the neutral gases. This leads to the development of an
ionization cascade (or shower). The intensity and penetration dept of the
cascade depends on the energy of the primary cosmic particles. Cascade of particles
with several hundred MeV of kinetic energy may reach the ground. However, due
to their charge cosmic ray particles are additionally deflected by the
geomagnetic field. Almost all particles can penetrate into the polar region,
where the magnetic field lines are perpendicular to the ground, where as only
the rare most highly energetic particles with energy above 15Gev are able to
penetrate the lower atmosphere near the equator.
It is interesting to note that solar
energy flux reaching the earth’s orbit Fs = 1.36 x 103wm-2
whereas the cosmic energy flux
(particles with energy > 0.1Gev) FCR = 10-5Wm-2(Frohlich
and Learn, 1997). Thus, energy input by cosmic rays in the Earth’s atmosphere
is about 10-9 times that of solar energy and hence it is unlikely
that cosmic rays could influence the atmosphere processes (Devendraa and Learn,
2010). However, cosmic rays are the only source of ion production in the lower
atmosphere (Devendraa and Learn, 2010), which is confirmed from the
measurements of Ermakov and Komotskov (Ermakov et al, 1992). Therefore, the
processes, depending on the electrical properties of the atmosphere such as
atmospheric electric current, lightening production, cloud and thunder cloud
formation etc, can be affected by cosmic rays. For studying cosmic ray ground
based observatories covering large areas are needed because the flux of cosmic
rays gaze too low at these energies for direct measurement by balloons or
satellite based experiment (Apel and Arteage, 2011).
In
this project work, we have reviewed the run-away breakdown mechanism in the
atmosphere. In particular Gurevich et al 1992 shall be our case study.
Aims and Objectives
Cosmic rays that penetrate the
atmosphere undergo shower and reaches the earth surface.
1.
We
aimed at studying the mechanisms of electron breakdown in the atmosphere
2.
To
have a mathematical investigation into the electron breakdown.
Scope of the Study
We have to
investigate acceleration and frictional drag on electrons in the earth
atmosphere with respect to the Earth surface
Methodology
We have to approach
the study in non relativistic and relativistic view mathematically.