Kinetics of runaway electrons in a stochastic electric field

Abstract

The kinetic theory for runaway electrons in a stochastic electric field is developed. The general kinetic equation for the isotropic part of the electron distribution function is derived and is simplified to the differential form for a particular case of electric field spectral intensity. The stationary analytical solution and numerical dynamic solutions are obtained and are discussed in connection with the problem of energetic electrons in a thunderstorm cloud.