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Title: Experimental investigation of virtual cathode sheath in the presence of secondary electrons produced by streaming ions

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4769117· OSTI ID:22068934
; ; ;  [1]
  1. CAS Key Laboratory of Basic Plasma Physics and Department of Modern Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026 (China)

The potential profiles near a negatively biased stainless steel plate or mesh immersed in an unmagnetized weakly collisional plasma were investigated experimentally. The results show that deep virtual cathode structures arise inside the sheath region in front of the plate caused by secondary electrons produced by streaming ions hitting the surface of the plate. The characteristics of the virtual cathode depend on the incoming ion energy, neutral gas pressure, and bulk plasma density. In addition, the replacement of the plate with the mesh results in the suppression of the virtual cathode because of the equivalent reduction in the secondary electron yield.

OSTI ID:
22068934
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 19, Issue 11; Other Information: (c) 2012 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English