Plasma Diagnostic Methods: Test Charge Response in Lorentzian Dusty Plasmas

Different plasma diagnostic methods are briefly discussed, and the framework of a test charge technique is effectively used as diagnostic tool for investigating interaction potentials in Lorentzian plasma, whose constituents are the superthermal electrons and ions with negatively charged dust grains. Applying the space-time Fourier transformations to the linearized coupled Vlasov-Poisson equations, a test charge potential is derived with a modified response function due to energetic ions and electrons. For a test charge moving much slower than the dust-thermal speed, there appears a short-range Debye-Hückel (DH) potential decaying exponentially with distance and a long-range far-field (FF) potential as the inverse cube of the distance from test charge. The FF potentials exhibit more localized shielding curves for low-Kappas, and smaller effective shielding length is observed in dusty plasma compared to electron-ion plasma. However, a wakefield (WF) potential is formed behind the test charge when it resonates with dust-acoustic oscillations, whereas a fast moving test charge leads to the Coulomb potential having no shielding around. It is revealed that superthermality and plasma parameters significantly alter the DH, FF, and WF potentials in space plasmas of Saturn’s E-ring, where power-law distributions can be used for energetic electrons and ions in contrast to Maxwellian dust grains.

Approximate Analytical Solution of Nonlinear Evolution Equations

Analytical solitary wave solution of the dust ion acoustic waves (DIAWs) is studied in the frame-work of Korteweg-de Vries (KdV), damped force Korteweg-de Vries (DFKdV), damped force modified Korteweg-de Vries (DFMKdV) and damped forced Zakharov-Kuznetsov (DFZK) equations in an unmagnetized collisional dusty plasma consisting of negatively charged dust grain, positively charged ions, Maxwellian distributed electrons and neutral particles. Using reductive perturbation technique (RPT), the evolution equations are obtained for DIAWs.

Hall Thruster: An Electric Propulsion through Plasmas

The chapter discussed the technological application of plasma physics in space science. The plasma technology is using laser-plasma fusion, inertial fusion, Terahertz wave generation and welding of metals. In this chapter, the application of plasma physics in the field of electric propulsion and types has been discussed. These devices have much higher exhaust velocities, longer life time, high thrust density than chemical propulsion devices and useful for space missions with regard to the spacecraft station keeping, rephrasing and orbit topping applications. The mathematical relation has been derived to obtain the performance parameters of the propulsion devices.

Plasma Antennas

We have demonstrated that one or two plasma tubes can be used to focus, spread, and steer antenna beams. We have also shown that we can simulate convex and concave plasma lenses by using cylindrical plasma tubes. Focusing by a plasma is useful because it can be used to increase the gain of an antenna, and to quickly reconfigure the beamwidth as needed without physically moving the antenna. With this technology, there is no need for phased arrays to steer and focus an antenna beam. Beam steering with a plasma allows tuning to different frequencies which is a difficult task for standard antennas. Our experimental results with 44 GHz showed a dramatic improvement in beam steering and focusing characteristics compared to beam focusing and steering at 24 GHz. The shorter wavelength compared to the spatial variation in plasma density over the radius of the plasma tube, the easier it is to steer and focus antenna beams. These results have been incorporated in a new smart plasma antenna design.

Evolution of Microwave Electric Field on Power Coupling to Plasma during Ignition Phase

During the gas ignition process, the plasma and the microwave electric fields are evolved with time together in the plasma volume. The spatio-temporal evolution pattern of microwave-radiated plasma parameters is reported here, highlighting the role of these electric fields on power coupling processes. Evolutions of electric field and so power coupling processes are calculated using the finite element method (FEM). It is observed that the main power coupling mechanism is electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) method; however, with the evolution of plasma, the mode shifts from ECR to off-ECR-type heating with time. Off-ECR heating in the form of upper hybrid resonance (UHR) method, electrostatic (ES) ion acoustic wave heating method is important heating mechanisms during highly dense plasma condition, when density is above critical density for launched frequency, 2.45 GHz. The conclusions on the shifting of heating mechanisms are also drawn based on the 3D maps of spatio-temporal plasma density and hot electron temperature evolution.

Introduction: Plasma Parameters and Simplest Models

Plasma is ionized gas (partially or fully). Overwhelming majority of matter in the universe is in plasma state (stars, Sun, etc.). Basic parameters of plasma state are given briefly as well as classification of plasma types: classic-quantum, ideal-nonideal, etc. Differences between plasma and neutral gas are presented. Plasma properties are determined by long distance electrostatic forces. If spatial dimensions of a system of charged particles exceed the so-called Debye radius, the system may be considered as plasma, that is, a medium with qualitatively new properties. The expressions for Debye radius for classical and quantum plasma are carried out. Basic principles of plasma description are presented. It is shown that plasma is a subject to specific electrostatic (or Langmuir) oscillations and instabilities. Simplest plasma models are given briefly: the model of “test” particle and model of two (electron and ion) fluids. As an example, Buneman instability is presented along with qualitative analysis of its complicate dispersion relation. Such analysis is typical in plasma theory. It allows to easily obtain the growth rate.