LOW-PRESSURE RELATIVISTIC ELECTRON FLOW

Most theories of electron flow have involved laminar flows or special flows of a single-orbital type. A general theory of electron flow has been published [C. W. Mendel, Jr., D. B. Seidel, and S. A. Slutz, Phys. Fluids 26, 3628 (1983)]. This theory can be used to make some general statements about these flows, but solutions to particular problems are complex and difficult. By constraining the general theory to flows where the electron pressure normal to the flow direction is small compared to the electromagnetic pressure, finite electron orbits can be taken into account in a general manner. An example of the utility of the theory under this assumption is given.