Numerical quasi-linear study of the critical ionization velocity phenomenon

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/92JA02237· OSTI ID:6787747

Moghaddam-Taaheri, E; Goertz, C K ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City (United States)

The critical ionization velocity, (CIV) for a neutral barium (Ba) gas cloud moving across the static magnetic field is studied numerically using quasi-linear equations and a parameter range which is typical for the shaped-charge Ba gas release experiments in space. For consistency the charge exchange between the background oxygen ions and neutral atoms and its reverse process, as well as the excitation of the neutral Ba atoms, are included. The numerical results indicate that when the ionization rate due to CIV becomes comparable to the charge exchange rate the energy lost to the ionization and excitation collisions by the superthermal electrons exceeds the energy gain from the waves that are excited by the ion beam. This results in a CIV yield less than the yield by the charge exchange process. 75 refs., 18 figs., 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6787747
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 98:A2; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
AMPLIFICATION
BARIUM
CHARGE EXCHANGE
CHARGED PARTICLES
COLLISIONS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
FERMIONS
GAIN
IONIZATION
IONS
LEPTONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICS
METALS
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
OXYGEN IONS
SPACE
VELOCITY