ORBIT ANALYZER PROBES FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF PLASMA TEMPERATURES

1967 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 3055-3064 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Loughran ◽  
L. Schott ◽  
H. M. Skarsgard
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Debye Length ◽  
Current Collector ◽  
Boltzmann Distribution ◽  
Electron Velocity ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Ion Temperature ◽  
Magnetic Analyzer ◽  
Current Characteristics ◽  
The Magnetic Field

An investigation is presented of two different probes, of the magnetic analyzer type, in which the magnetic field used for analysis of the particle orbits is also present in the plasma. Both probes employ a current collector whose distance from the aperture plane is adjustable. One probe (the charge-selective probe) collects charged particles of one sign, while theother (the charge-insensitive probe) collects particles of both signs. Assuming a Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution of electrons, the current collection characteristics are calculated for each probe. The use of these current characteristics for the measurement of the electron temperature is discussed. A procedure is also given for obtaining the mean electron velocity perpendicular to the magnetic field in the case of a non-Maxwellian velocity distribution. Finally, methods for measuring the ion temperature are presented for the special case of a small Debye length compared with the ion Larmor radius.

scholarly journals Dependence on ion temperature of shallow-angle magnetic presheaths with adiabatic electrons

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Geraldini ◽  
F. I. Parra ◽  
F. Militello
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Fluid Model ◽  
Boltzmann Distribution ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Magnetized Plasma ◽  
Electron Mass ◽  
Ion Temperature ◽  
Ion Distribution ◽  
Ionic Charge ◽  
The Magnetic Field

The magnetic presheath is a boundary layer occurring when magnetized plasma is in contact with a wall and the angle $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$ between the wall and the magnetic field $\boldsymbol{B}$ is oblique. Here, we consider the fusion-relevant case of a shallow-angle, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}\ll 1$ , electron-repelling sheath, with the electron density given by a Boltzmann distribution, valid for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}/\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}+1}\gg \sqrt{m_{\text{e}}/m_{\text{i}}}$ , where $m_{\text{e}}$ is the electron mass, $m_{\text{i}}$ is the ion mass, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}=T_{\text{i}}/ZT_{\text{e}}$ , $T_{\text{e}}$ is the electron temperature, $T_{\text{i}}$ is the ion temperature and $Z$ is the ionic charge state. The thickness of the magnetic presheath is of the order of a few ion sound Larmor radii $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{\text{s}}=\sqrt{m_{\text{i}}(ZT_{\text{e}}+T_{\text{i}})}/ZeB$ , where e is the proton charge and $B=|\boldsymbol{B}|$ is the magnitude of the magnetic field. We study the dependence on $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}$ of the electrostatic potential and ion distribution function in the magnetic presheath by using a set of prescribed ion distribution functions at the magnetic presheath entrance, parameterized by $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}$ . The kinetic model is shown to be asymptotically equivalent to Chodura’s fluid model at small ion temperature, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}\ll 1$ , for $|\text{ln}\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}|>3|\text{ln}\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}|\gg 1$ . In this limit, despite the fact that fluid equations give a reasonable approximation to the potential, ion gyro-orbits acquire a spatial extent that occupies a large portion of the magnetic presheath. At large ion temperature, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}\gg 1$ , relevant because $T_{\text{i}}$ is measured to be a few times larger than $T_{\text{e}}$ near divertor targets of fusion devices, ions reach the Debye sheath entrance (and subsequently the wall) at a shallow angle whose size is given by $\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}$ or $1/\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$ , depending on which is largest.

Anomalous temperature relaxation and particle transport in a strongly non-unifrom, fully in ionized Plasma in a stromg mangnetic field

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alf H. Øien
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Particle Transport ◽  
Transport Theory ◽  
Debye Length ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Collision Integrals ◽  
Ion Interactions ◽  
Electrons And Ions ◽  
Temperature Relaxation ◽  
The Magnetic Field

In classical kinetic and transport theory for a fully ionized plasma in a magnetic field, collision integrals from a uniform theory without fields are used. When the magnetic field is so strong that electrons may gyrate during electron—electron and electron—ion interactions, the form of the collision integrals will be modified. Another modification will stem from strong non-uniformities transverse to the magnetic field B. Using collision terms that explicitly incorporate these effects, we derive in particular the temperature relaxation between electrons and ions and the particle transport transverse to the magnetic field. In both cases collisions between gyrating electrons, which move along the magnetic field, and non-gyrating ions, which move in arbitrary directions at a distance transverse to B from the electrons larger than the electron Larmor radius but smaller than the Debye length, give rise to enhancement factors in the corresponding classical expressions of order In (mion/mel).

Effects of repeated interactions and correlational disintegration on kinetic and transport properties of a non-neutral plasma in strong fields

1990 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alf H. Øien
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Particle Transport ◽  
Axial Magnetic Field ◽  
Debye Length ◽  
Electron Plasma ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Equilibration Time ◽  
Cylindrically Symmetric ◽  
Electric Potentials ◽  
Good Agreement

Collisions in a cylindrically symmetric non-neutral (electron) plasma, where the Larmor radius is much smaller than the Debye length, and the consequent particle transport, are studied. The plasma is confined radially by a strong axial magnetic field and axially by electric potentials. Hence two particles may interact repeatedly. Eventually they drift too far away from each other poloidally to interact any more, owing to shear in the E × B drift. The consequent build-up of correlation is limited by correlational disintegration due to collisions with ‘third particles’ between the repeated interactions. A kinetic equation including these effects is derived, and the cross-field particle transport along the density gradient is found. An associated equilibration time is shown to scale as B and to be in good agreement with the experimentally obtained values of Briscoli, Malmberg and Fine.

scholarly journals Diffusion at the Earth magnetopause: enhancement by Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 271-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Smets ◽  
G. Belmont ◽  
D. Delcourt ◽  
L. Rezeau
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Simple Analytical Model ◽  
Helmholtz Instability ◽  
Field Reversal ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Specific Distribution ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Using hybrid simulations, we examine how particles can diffuse across the Earth's magnetopause because of finite Larmor radius effects. We focus on tangential discontinuities and consider a reversal of the magnetic field that closely models the magnetopause under southward interplanetary magnetic field. When the Larmor radius is on the order of the field reversal thickness, we show that particles can cross the discontinuity. We also show that with a realistic initial shear flow, a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability develops that increases the efficiency of the crossing process. We investigate the distribution functions of the transmitted ions and demonstrate that they are structured according to a D-shape. It accordingly appears that magnetic reconnection at the magnetopause is not the only process that leads to such specific distribution functions. A simple analytical model that describes the built-up of these functions is proposed.

scholarly journals Observations of diffusion in the electron halo and strahl

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 1175-1189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Gurgiolo ◽  
Melvyn L. Goldstein
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Energy Range ◽  
Lower Energy ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Electron Velocity ◽  
Electron Velocity Distribution ◽  
Velocity Distribution Functions ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind Electron

Abstract. Observations of the three-dimensional solar wind electron velocity distribution functions (VDF) using ϕ–θ plots often show a tongue of electrons that begins at the strahl and stretches toward a new population of electrons, termed the proto-halo, that exists near the projection of the magnetic field opposite that associated with the strahl. The energy range in which the tongue and proto-halo are observed forms a “diffusion zone”. The tongue first appears in energy generally near the lower-energy range of the strahl and in the absence of any clear core/halo signature. While the ϕ–θ plots give the appearance that the tongue and proto-halo are derived from the strahl, a close examination of their density suggests that their source is probably the upper-energy core/halo electrons which have been scattered by one or more processes into these populations.

Rayleigh-Taylor Instability of a Stratified Plasma

1974 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 518-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Boussinesq Approximation ◽  
Short Wave ◽  
Taylor Instability ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Wave Disturbances ◽  
Magnetic Field Gradients ◽  
Rayleigh Taylor Instability ◽  
The Magnetic Field

We have investigated the effect of finite Larmor radius on the Rayleigh-Taylor instability of a semi-infinite, compressible, stratified and infinitely conducting plasma. The plasma is assumed to have a one dimensional density and magnetic field gradients. The eigenvalue problem has been solved under Boussinesq approximation for disturbances parallel to the magnetic field. It has been established that for perturbation parallel to the magnetic field, the system is stable for both stable and unstable stratification. For perturbation perpendicular to the magnetic field, the problem has been solved without Boussinesq approximation. The dispersion relation has been discussed in the two limiting cases, the short and long wave disturbances. It has been observed that the gyroviscosity has a destabilizing influence from k = 0 to k = 4.5 for ß* = 0.1 and for ß* = 0.1 up to k* = 2.85 and then onwards it acts as a stabilizing agent. It has a damping effect on the short wave disturbances. For some parameters, the largets imaginary part has been shown in Figs. 1 and 2

Stability of anisotropic plasmas to almost-perpendicular magnetosonic waves

1971 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Landau† ◽  
S. Cuperman
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Dispersion Relation ◽  
Simple Form ◽  
Cyclotron Frequency ◽  
Plasma Frequency ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Ion Plasma ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Magnetic Field

The stability of anisotropic plasmas to the magnetosonic (or right-hand compressional Alfvén) wave, near the ion cyclotron frequency, propagating almost perpendicular to the magnetic field, is investigated. For this case, and for wavelengths larger than the ion Larmor radius and for large ion plasma frequency (w2p+ ≫ Ωp+) the dispersion relation is obtained in a simple form. It is shown that for T # T' (even T ≫ T) no instabifity occurs. The resonant ters are also included, and it is shown that there is no resonant instabifity, only damping.

scholarly journals Ion charge state and energy enhancement by axial magnetic field applied during laser produced plasma expansion

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 606-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.A. Abbasi ◽  
A.H. Dogar ◽  
B. Ilyas ◽  
S. Ullah ◽  
M. Rafique ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Charge State ◽  
Impact Ionization ◽  
Axial Magnetic Field ◽  
Debye Length ◽  
Target Surface ◽  
Laser Wavelength ◽  
Electrostatic Model ◽  
Ion Energy ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractThe effects of axial magnetic field on the properties of the ions ejected from Nd:YAG laser (wavelength = 1064 nm, pulse duration = 6 ns) produced expanding Cu plasma were investigated. A plane Cu target, without and with 0.23 T axial magnetic field at its surface, was irradiated in the fluence range of 2–24 J/cm2. The ions emitted along the target surface normal were analyzed with the help of ion collector and time-of-flight electrostatic ion energy analyzer. The integrated ion yield, highest ion charge state, average ion energy, and energy of individual ion charge states were found to increase by application of the magnetic field. The initial parameters of the non-equilibrium plasma such as average ion charge, equivalent potential, electron temperature, electron density, Debye length, and transient electric field were estimated from the experimental results obtained without and with application of the magnetic field. The increase of ion yield and ion charge state by application of magnetic field are most probably due to the trapping of electrons in front of the target surface, which boosts up the electron impact ionization process. The ion energy increment due to the magnetic field is discussed in the frame work of electrostatic model for ion acceleration in laser plasma.

scholarly journals Alfvén wave interaction with inhomogeneous plasmas: acceleration and energy cascade towards small-scales

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2081-2096 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Génot ◽  
P. Louarn ◽  
F. Mottez
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electromagnetic Waves ◽  
Wave Interaction ◽  
Skin Depth ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Double Layers ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Density Gradients ◽  
Particle In Cell ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Investigating the process of electron acceleration in auroral regions, we present a study of the temporal evolution of the interaction of Alfvén waves (AW) with a plasma inhomogeneous in a direction transverse to the static magnetic field. This type of inhomogeneity is typical of the density cavities extended along the magnetic field in auroral acceleration regions. We use self-consistent Particle In Cell (PIC) simulations which are able to reproduce the full nonlinear evolution of the electromagnetic waves, as well as the trajectories of ions and electrons in phase space. Physical processes are studied down to the ion Larmor radius and electron skin depth scales. We show that the AW propagation on sharp density gradients leads to the formation of a significant parallel (to the magnetic field) electric field (E-field). It results from an electric charge separation generated on the density gradients by the polarization drift associated with the time varying AW E-field. Its amplitude may reach a few percents of the AW E-field. This parallel component accelerates electrons up to keV energies over a distance of a few hundred Debye lengths, and induces the formation of electron beams. These beams trigger electrostatic plasma instabilities which evolve toward the formation of nonlinear electrostatic structures (identified as electron holes and double layers). When the electrostatic turbulence is fully developed we show that it reduces the further wave/particle exchange. This sequence of mechanisms is analyzed with the program WHAMP, to identify the instabilities at work and wavelet analysis techniques are used to characterize the regime of energy conversions (from electromagnetic to electrostatic structures, from large to small length scales). This study elucidates a possible scenario to account for the particle acceleration and the wave dissipation in inhomogeneous plasmas. It would consist of successive phases of acceleration along the magnetic field, the development of an electrostatic turbulence, the thermalization and the heating of the plasma. Space plasma physics (charged particle motion and acceleration; numerical studies).

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