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Kinetic stability properties of nonrelativistic non-neutral electron flow in a planar diode with applied magnetic field

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. A; (United States)

The linearized Vlasov-Poisson equations are used to investigate the electrostatic stability properties of nonrelativistic non-neutral electron flow in a planar diode with cathode located at x = 0 and anode at x = d. The electron layer is immersed in a uniform applied magnetic field B/sub 0/e/sub z/, and the equilibrium flow velocity V/sub y/b/sup 0/(x) is in the y direction. Stability properties are calculated for perturbations about the choice of self-consistent Vlasov equilibrium f/sub b//sup 0/(H,P/sub y/) = (n/sub b//2..pi..m)delta (H)delta(P/sub y/), which gives an equilibrium with uniform electron density (n/sub b/ = const) extending from the cathode (x = 0) to the outer edge of the electron layer (x = x/sub b/). Assuming flute perturbations (partial/partialz = 0) of the form deltaphi(x,y,t) = deltaphi-circumflex/sub k/(x)exp(iky -i..omega..t), the eigenvalue equation for deltaphi-circumflex/sub k/(x) is simplified and solved analytically for long-wavelength, low-frequency perturbations satisfying kx/sub b/<<1 and Vertical Bar..omega..-kV/sub d/Vertical Bar/sup 2/<<..omega../sub v//sup 2/equivalent..omega../sub c//sup 2/ -omega-circumflex/sub pb//sup 2/. This gives a quadratic dispersion relation for the complex oscillation frequency ..omega...

Research Organization:
Plasma Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
OSTI ID:
5004325
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. A; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. A; (United States) Vol. 32:6; ISSN PLRAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English