Ion Jets in the Fifth State of Matter
| Scientific Paper | |
|---|---|
| Title | Ion Jets in the Fifth State of Matter |
| Author(s) | L?szl? K?rtvely?ssy, Eric W Crew |
| Keywords | electric filamentary state, fifth state of matter, ion jets |
| Published | 2002 |
| Journal | Electric Spacecraft Journal |
| Number | 33 |
| Pages | 5-10 |
Abstract
Matter exists in several states: (1) solid, (2) liquid, (3) gaseous, (4) plasma, and (5) electric filamentary. Plasma, matter at very high temperatures, is comprised of approximately equal numbers of positively and negatively charged particles, so it does not produce a strong circumferential magnetic field or form filaments. The fifth state of matter consists of very high energy, nonthermal particles with an electric charge of mainly one sign: positive or negative. These particles move as an electric current, and the resultant magnetic field compresses the matter in the discharge channel, forming one or more filaments, like lightning in the earth's atmosphere. ? Eric Crew