A two-component model for the electron distribution function in a high-current pseudospark or back-lighted thyratron

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/27.131027· OSTI ID:6682576

Bauer, H R; Kirkman, G; Gundersen, M A ^[1]

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1. Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Univ. of Southern California, SSC 420, Los Angeles, CA (US)

Temperature, energy, and densities of two electron distribution function components, including an isotropic bulk part and an anisotropic beam, are analyzed for a hydrogen pseudospark and/or black-lighted thyratron switch plasma with a peak electron density of 1--3 {times} 10{sup 15} cm{sup {minus}3} and peak current density of {approx} 10{sup 4} A/cm{sup 2}. Collisional and radiative processes of monoenergetic beam electrons, bulk plasma electrons and ions, and atomic hydrogen are modeled by a set of rate equations, and line intensity ratios are compared with measurements. Under these high-current conditions, for an initial density {ital n}{sub H2} = 10{sup 16} cm{sup {minus}3} the evaluated bulk plasma parameters are an electron density of 1--3 {times} 10{sup 15} cm{sup {minus}3} and electron temperature of 0.8--1 eV; the estimated beam density is {approx} 10{sup 13}--10{sup 14} cm{sup {minus}3}. These results suggest the possibility of producing in a simple way a very high-density electron beam.

• OSTI ID: 6682576
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (USA), Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (USA) Vol. 18:2; ISSN 0093-3813; ISSN ITPSB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
ATOMIC MODELS
BEAM INJECTION
COLLISIONAL PLASMA
CURRENT DENSITY
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELECTRON BEAM INJECTION
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ELECTRON TUBES
ELEMENTS
EQUATIONS
FUNCTIONS
GAS DISCHARGE TUBES
HYDROGEN
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MAXWELL EQUATIONS
NONMETALS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PLASMA
PLASMA PRODUCTION
THYRATRONS