Plasma flow resulting from electron cyclotron resonance heating on a magnetic hill

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.871014· OSTI ID:130737

Hooper, Jr, E B ^[1]

---

1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551 (United States)

The flow of low collisionality plasma down a magnetic hill during electron cyclotron resonance heating is analyzed using a particle-in-cell code that follows both the electron and ion guiding centers. The analysis is applied to the formation of an ion beam by plasma expansion in a magnetic nozzle, of interest for plasma thrusters and other applications. The ambipolar electric potential that accelerates the ions is enhanced by effects of the magnetic forces on the electrons that are heated perpendicular to the magnetic field. Comparison with flow in the presence of isotropic heating demonstrates an increase in the efficiency of the particle and energy fluxes down the field relative to those that flow up the field to a wall at a large mirror ratio. The increases are reduced somewhat if particles recycle near the wall, but are still significant.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 130737
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 2; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COLLISIONAL PLASMA
COMPUTER CODES
ECR HEATING
ION BEAMS
PLASMA EXPANSION
PLASMA FLUID EQUATIONS
PLASMA SIMULATION
WALL EFFECTS