Such corrections typically become important when a significant number of electrons reach speeds greater than 0.86c (Lorentz factor
Such plasmas may be created either by heating a gas to very high temperatures or by the impact of a high-energy particle beam.
A relativistic plasma with a thermal distribution function has temperatures greater than around 260 keV, or 3.0 GK (5.5 billion degrees Fahrenheit), where approximately 10% of the electrons have
The primary changes in a plasma's behavior as it approaches the relativistic regime is slight modifications to the equations which describe a non-relativistic plasma and to collision and interaction cross sections.
A plasma double layer with a large potential drop and layer separation, may accelerate electrons to relativistic velocities, and produce synchrotron radiation.