Collector and source sheaths of a finite ion temperature plasma
The region between a Maxwellian plasma source and an absorbing surface is modeled with an electrostatic particle simulation and with a kinetic plasma-sheath model. In the kinetic model, Poisson's equation and Vlasov equations govern the velocity distribution of the ions and electrons. Our numerical and theoretical results for collector potential and plasma transport agree with the bounded model of Emmert et al., but differ somewhat from those using traditional Bohm sheath analysis. The plasma source injects equal fluxes of half-Maxwellian ions and electrons with specified mass and temperature ratios and is assumed to have a zero electric field. Representing the potential change within a distributed full-Maxwellian source region, the source potential drop depends primarily on temperature ratio and evolves a few Debye lengths from the source to neutralize the injected plasma. The plasma flows to an electrically floating collector where the more familiar electron-repelling collector sheath appears. Profiles of potential, density, drift velocity, temperature, kinetic energy flux, and heat flux are shown from simulation; all compare very well with theory. 24 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Berkeley (USA). Electronics Research Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG03-86ER53220
- OSTI ID:
- 7043884
- Report Number(s):
- UCB/ERL-M-88/23; ON: DE88008934; TRN: 88-024944
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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PLASMA SHEATH
PLASMA SIMULATION
BOLTZMANN-VLASOV EQUATION
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
EQUILIBRIUM PLASMA
ION TEMPERATURE
PLASMA DENSITY
POISSON EQUATION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
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PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PLASMA
SIMULATION
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