Kinetic theory of ion collection by probing objects in flowing strongly magnetized plasmas

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Phys. Rev. A; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.38.4721· OSTI ID:7080011

Chung, K; Hutchinson, I H

A new one-dimensional collisionless kinetic model is developed for the flow of ions to probing structures in drifting plasmas. The cross-field flow into the presheath is modeled by accounting consistently for particle exchange between the collection flux tube and the outer plasma. Numerical solutions of the self-consistent plasma-sheath equations are obtained with arbitrary external ion temperature and parallel plasma flow velocity. Results are presented of the spatial dependence of the ion distribution function as well as its moments (density, particle flux, temperature, and power flux). The ion current to the probe is obtained and the ratio of the upstream to downstream currents is found to be well represented by the form R = exp(Ku/sub d/), where Kapprox.1.7 and u/sub d/ is the drift velocity in units of ..sqrt..(T/sub e//m/sub i/) . The results are in good agreement with comparable recent fluid calculations but show substantial deviations from other models which ignore particle exchange out of the presheath. No evidence is found of the formation of shocks in the downstream wake, contrary to the implications of some fluid theories.

• Research Organization: Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
• OSTI ID: 7080011
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. A; (United States), Vol. 38:9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTROSTATIC PROBES
BOLTZMANN EQUATION
CHARGED-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
ION DETECTION
ION DRIFT
ION TEMPERATURE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NUMERICAL DATA
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA SHEATH
POISSON EQUATION
TOKAMAK DEVICES
CHARGED PARTICLE DETECTION
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
DATA
DETECTION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
INFORMATION
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PROBES
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION TRANSPORT
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
700102* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Diagnostics