Measurements of inverse bremsstrahlung absorption and non-Maxwellian electron velocity distributions

Journal Article · Mon Apr 25 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Physical Review Letters; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.72.2717· OSTI ID:7279872

Liu, J M; De Groot, J S; Matte, J P; Johnston, T W; Drake, R P ^[1]

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1. Plasma Research Group, Department of Applied Science, University of California, Davis, California 95616 (United States) Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique Energie et Materiaux, C.P. 1020, Varennes, Quebec, J3X 1S2 (Canada) Plasma Physics Research Institute, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, L-418, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94551 (United States)

Non-Maxwellian (flattopped) electron velocity distributions resulting from inverse bremsstrahlung of intense microwaves are measured directly for the first time in experiments performed on the UCD AURORA II device. The experiments are performed in the afterglow of a pulsed discharge plasma that is moderately collisional and sufficiently ionized ([similar to]1%) that Coulomb collisions are dominant. Langmuir probe measurements indicate that the isotropic component of the electron velocity distribution is non-Maxwellian in very good agreement with electron kinetic (Fokker-Planck) simulations.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7279872
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; (United States) Vol. 72:17; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700320* -- Plasma Diagnostic Techniques & Instrumentation-- (1992-)
ABSORPTION
AFTERGLOW
AURORA FACILITY
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
COLLISIONAL PLASMA
COULOMB FIELD
DATA
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRIC PROBES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ENERGY ABSORPTION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FUNCTIONS
INFORMATION
ISOTROPY
LANGMUIR PROBE
MICROWAVE RADIATION
NUMERICAL DATA
PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PROBES
RADIATIONS
SORPTION