Electron beam propagation in plasmas

Electron beam propagation in a fully ionized plasma has been studied using a one-dimensional particle simulation model. The electrostatic results show the essential features of beam-plasma interactions. It is found that the return currents are enhanced by the beam-plasma instability which accelerates ambient plasmas. The results also show the heating of ambient plasmas and the trapping of plasmas due to the locally generated electric field. The electromagnetic simulations show much the same results as the electrostatic simulations do. We discuss the results in context of the heating of coronal plasma during solar flares.