Magnetosheath effects on cylindrical Langmuir probes

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.862556· OSTI ID:5759747

Szuszczewicz, E P; Takacs, P Z

The response of cylindrical Langmuir probes in magnetoplasmas is studied from a perspective which focuses on the relative magnitudes of Larmor radius and sheath size. The approach results in a classification for magnetic field effects which involves not only the magnetic field strength but also the plasma parameters of density, temperature, and the applied probe potential. It is specifically shown that a 0.25 G field can have similar effects on the current collection properties of the probe in an ionospheric plasma (N/sub e/approx. =10/sup 6/ cm/sup -3/) as a 30 kG field would have in a hot, dense laboratory plasma (N/sub e/approx. =10/sup 15/ cm/sup -3/). The classifications are found to agree with new experimental results collected in an ionospheric plasma. The data also show: (a) the effects of probe orientation on electron current collection from magnetoplasmas; (b) that these effects can be important even when the electron Larmor radius is larger than the radius of the probe; and (c) that substantial magnetic field effects occur when the probe's sheath is comparable to or greater than the Larmor radius.

• Research Organization: E. O. Hulburt Center for Space Research, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C. 20375
• OSTI ID: 5759747
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 22:12; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
BOLTZMANN-VLASOV EQUATION
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
CONFIGURATION
CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC PROBES
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
EQUATIONS
IONOSPHERE
LANGMUIR PROBE
LARMOR RADIUS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOSHEATH
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
POISSON EQUATION
PROBES