High density conics in a magnetically expanding helicon plasma

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 2010 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3309668· OSTI ID:21347260

Charles, C ^[1]

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1. Space Plasma, Power, and Propulsion Group, Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University, ACT 0200 (Australia)

A two-dimensional mapping of ion density and plasma potential in a diverging magnetized low pressure (0.4 mTorr) carbon dioxide helicon plasma containing a double layer reveals the presence of high density conics (approx7x10{sup 9} cm{sup -3}) along the most diverging magnetic field lines exiting the helicon source and connecting with the grounded expansion chamber. The density in the conic is about 30% greater than the density at the double layer and this results from local ionization associated with the presence of a high energy tail in the electron energy probability function. The plasma potential along the conic is constant at about 30 V.

• OSTI ID: 21347260
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 96; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CLOUD CHAMBERS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EXPANSION CHAMBERS
FERMIONS
FUNCTIONS
GAS TRACK DETECTORS
ION DENSITY
IONIZATION
LAYERS
LEPTONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAPPING
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA POTENTIAL
PROBABILITY
RADIATION DETECTORS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS