Injection and propagation of a nonrelativistic electron beam and spacecraft charging

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA093iA01p00175· OSTI ID:5437997

Okuda, H; Berchem, J

Two-dimensional numerical simulations have been carried out in order to study the injection and propagation of a nonrelativistic electron beam from a spacecraft into a fully ionized plasma in a magnetic field. Contrary to the earlier results in one dimension, a high-density electron beam whos density is comparable to the ambient density can propagate into a plasma. A strong radial electric field resulting from the net charges in the beam causes the beam electrons to spread radially, reducing the beam density. When the injection current exceeds the return current, significant charging of the spacecraft is observed along with the acceleration of the ambient electrons back to the spacecraft. As a result, a beam current much larger than the thermal return current can be injected into space. Recent data on the electron beam injection from the Spacelab 1 (SEPAC) are discussed. copyright American Geophysical Union 1988

• Research Organization: Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, New Jersey
• OSTI ID: 5437997
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 93:A1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRON BEAM INJECTION
IONOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CHARGES
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRON DENSITY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PLASMA WAVES
SPACE SHUTTLES
WAVE PROPAGATION
AIRCRAFT
BEAM INJECTION
CURRENTS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES
640201* - Atmospheric Physics- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena