Influence of emitted electrons transiting between surfaces on plasma-surface interaction

Journal Article · Mon Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2013 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4820352· OSTI ID:22217926

Campanell, Michael ^[1]; Wang, Hongyue ^[2]

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1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 (United States)
2. Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing (China)

Emitted electrons are accelerated back into the plasma by the sheath. If their mean free path is large, they can propagate directly to another surface without suffering collisions. We analyze the effects of “transit” on plasma-surface interaction. When transit occurs, surfaces exchanging electrons are intricately coupled. All surfaces float more negatively than they would if the emission collisionally remixed with the bulk plasma. Asymmetries of the system drive a net “transit current” between the surfaces, which influences their potential difference. The larger the initial energy spread of the emitted electrons, the larger the potential difference.

• OSTI ID: 22217926
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 103, Issue 10; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ASYMMETRY
ELECTRON EXCHANGE
ELECTRONS
EMISSION
MEAN FREE PATH
PLASMA SHEATH
POTENTIALS
SURFACES
WALL EFFECTS