. pl as m - p h ] 3 O ct 2 00 4 Physics of high - intensity high - energy Particle Beam Propagation in open Air and outer - space Plasmas

This report is a self-contained and comprehensive review of the physics of propagating pulses of high-intensity high-energy particle beams in pre-existing or self-generated plasmas. The first part is a systematic overview of the theory pertaining to propagation, plasma self-generation, energy/current-losses, and stability of such pulses. The second part reviews the major full-scale propagation experiments which have been carried out, in atmospheric and outer-space plasmas, to assess the validity of theoretical models. It is found that the data available on these experiments demonstrate that range and stability are in agreement with theory. In particular, stable self-pinched propagation of high-current beams in the atmosphere is possible over distances on the order of several Nordsieck lengths.