Numerical simulation of neutral gas release experiments in the ionosphere

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Physics of Plasmas; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.870669· OSTI ID:5017385

Okuda, H ^[1]; Choueiri, E Y ^[2]

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1. Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 (United States)
2. Electric Propulsion and Plasma Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 (United States)

A two-and-one-half-dimensional electrostatic particle simulation model has been developed to study neutral gas release experiments into the ionosphere. The electrons are assumed guiding center particles, while the full dynamics of the ions (with real masses) are followed in time and space. Ionization processes of the neutral gas by charge exchange and electron impact are included by means of the Monte Carlo technique. It is shown that the model can be used to simulate the neutral gas interaction, with the ionosphere using realistic experimental parameters. The model was applied to study the critical ionization velocity (CIV) tests recently conducted as part of the ATLAS-1 [Geophys. Res. Lett. [bold 20], 499 (1993)] xenon gas releases from the space shuttle. The simulation results show suprathermal electrons produced by an ion beam-driven lower hybrid instability, create a xenon ion population much more rapidly than the production by classical processes, indicating the prevalence of a CIV-type mechanism.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• OSTI ID: 5017385
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas; (United States), Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas; (United States) Vol. 1:5; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700330 -- Plasma Kinetics
Transport
& Impurities-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AIRCRAFT
CALCULATION METHODS
CHARGE EXCHANGE
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
IONIZED GASES
IONOSPHERE
MONTE CARLO METHOD
NEUTRAL PARTICLES
NONMETALS
PARTICLES
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA SIMULATION
RARE GASES
SIMULATION
SPACE SHUTTLES
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES
XENON