skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Space-charge-limited, two-dimensional unmagnetized flow in a wedge geometry

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2822471· OSTI ID:21057553
;  [1]
  1. Department of Mathematics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-8019 (United States)

This paper studies the space-charge-limited current in an infinite wedge geometry in two dimensions. This geometry permits a reduction of the problem to a set of easily solved ordinary differential equations. The system, though very simplified, exhibits features similar to those expected to occur in many realistic systems with inhomogeneous electric fields. We obtain, in particular, a universal form for the particle trajectories and a nonmonotone charge distribution with accumulation at both the cathode and the anode. The explicit solution of the model can be useful for testing numerical schemes. The case of a very low density current is also considered. Relaxation of the geometrical limitations of the model are studied using conformal mapping techniques. Possible applications to realistic systems, which can be tested by simple experiments, are presented.

OSTI ID:
21057553
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 102, Issue 12; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2822471; (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English