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One-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation of a current-free double layer in an expanding plasma

Meige, Albert; Boswell, Rod W.; Charles, Christine; Turner, Miles M.

Description

A one-dimensional particle-in-cell code using Monte Carlo collision techniques (MCC/PIC) for both ions and electrons is used to simulate our earlier experimental results which showed that a current-free electric double layer (DL) can form in a plasma expanding along a diverging magnetic field. These results differ from previous experimental or simulation systems where the double layers are driven by a current or by imposed potential differences. Both experiment and simulation show accelerated...[Show more]

dc.contributor.authorMeige, Albert
dc.contributor.authorBoswell, Rod W.
dc.contributor.authorCharles, Christine
dc.contributor.authorTurner, Miles M.
dc.date.accessioned2015-09-29T01:17:57Z
dc.date.available2015-09-29T01:17:57Z
dc.identifier.issn1070-664X
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1885/15721
dc.description.abstractA one-dimensional particle-in-cell code using Monte Carlo collision techniques (MCC/PIC) for both ions and electrons is used to simulate our earlier experimental results which showed that a current-free electric double layer (DL) can form in a plasma expanding along a diverging magnetic field. These results differ from previous experimental or simulation systems where the double layers are driven by a current or by imposed potential differences. Both experiment and simulation show accelerated ions with energies up to about 60 eV on the low potential side of the plasma. A new numerical method is added to the conventional PIC scheme to simulate inductive electron heating, as distinct from the more common capacitively driven simulations. A loss process is introduced along the axis of the simulation to mimic the density decrease along the axis of an expanding plasma in a diverging magnetic field. The results from the MCC/PIC presented here suggest that the expansion rate compared to the ionization frequency is a critical parameter for the existence of the DL. For the DL to be absolutely current free, the source wall has to be allowed to charge: having both ends of the simulation at the same potential always resulted in a current flow. Also, the effect of the neutral pressure and of the size of the diffusion chamber are investigated. Finally we show that this particular type of DL has electrons in Boltzmann equilibrium and that it creates a supersonic ion beam.
dc.publisherAmerican Institute of Physics
dc.rightshttp://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/issn/1070-664X..."Publishers version/PDF may be used on author's personal website, institutional website or institutional repository" from SHERPA/RoMEO site (as at 29/09/15). Copyright 2005 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. The following article appeared in (Meige, Albert, et al. "One-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation of a current-free double layer in an expanding plasma." Physics of Plasmas (1994-present) 12.5 (2005): 052317.) and may be found at https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1897390
dc.sourcePhysics of Plasmas
dc.subjectKeywords: Carrier concentration; Computer simulation; Electric currents; Electrons; Ion beams; Ions; Magnetic fields; Monte Carlo methods; Expanding plasmas; Neutral pressures; Particle-in-cell simulations; Supersonic ion beams; Plasma collision processes
dc.titleOne-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation of a current-free double layer in an expanding plasma
dc.typeJournal article
local.description.notesImported from ARIES
local.description.refereedYes
local.identifier.citationvolume12
dc.date.issued2005-05-05
local.identifier.absfor020204
local.identifier.ariespublicationMigratedxPub10540
local.publisher.urlhttps://www.aip.org/
local.type.statusPublished Version
local.contributor.affiliationMeige, Albert, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, CPMS Research School of Physics and Engineering, Plasma Research Laboratory, The Australian National University
local.contributor.affiliationBoswell, Roderick, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, CPMS Research School of Physics and Engineering, Plasma Research Laboratory, The Australian National University
local.contributor.affiliationCharles, Christine, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, CPMS Research School of Physics and Engineering, Plasma Research Laboratory, The Australian National University
local.contributor.affiliationTurner, Miles J., University of Dublin, Ireland
local.bibliographicCitation.issue5
local.bibliographicCitation.startpage052317
local.identifier.doi10.1063/1.1897390
dc.date.updated2015-12-11T11:06:35Z
local.identifier.scopusID2-s2.0-20844439062
CollectionsANU Research Publications

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