PLASMA ELECTRON TEMPERATURE IN A STRONG INHOMOGENEOUS ELECTRIC FIELD
Electron temperature effects occurring when the electrons of a plasma become heated by a strong, inhomogeneous, electric field are discussed. Steady state transport equations, based on kinetic theory, which admit elevated, spatially varying, electron temperatures; density gradients; and induced electric fields were constructed for both a weakly ionlzed and strongly ionized gas in a strorg electric field. The physical meaning of the equations is discussed. They are then applied to determine the effect of a prescribed, strorg standing wave on an initially homogeneous plasma. Here two modes of behavior are distinguishable. In the low frequency case the electron temperature follows the field and the electron temperature and electron and ion density show strong spatial dependence. The induced field linking the electrons and ions is relatively strong. In the second high frequency mode the electron temperature establishes itself around some mean value with small spatial perturbations. For this case density gradients and the induced field are negligible. Using the temperature balance equation for a strongly ionlzed gas, the influence of inhomogeneities on Gurevich's electron temperature instability phenomenon is considered. Both mathematical and physical arguments are advanced that support the existence of this instability in the inhomogeneous case. Lastly perturbations of the standing wave caused by its interaction with the plasma were investigated. (Dissertation abstr., 24: No. 9, March 1964)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-021447
- OSTI ID:
- 4001683
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis. Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-64
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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