THE MOTION OF ELECTRONS IN A RADIOFREQUENCY FIELD
Abstract
The motion of electrons in a radiofrequency field is investigated for a cylindrical geometry and an electromagnetic-field configuration consisting of a spatially constant axial magnetic field and an azimuthal electric field which varies linearly with distance from the center of the cylinder. This field configuration, which approximates that found in the electrodeless ring discharge near breakdown, has also been suggested as a plasma confinement scheme. When the motion is collisionless, the equations can be solved analytically to show that stable (time-bounded) motion exists for certain values of the ratio of electron cyclotron frequency to applied field frequency. Confinement of the orbits to a region entirely inside the cylinder is completely assured only for those particles which start from rest; in all other cases the maximum radius of extent depends on initial position and velocity. Collisions are qualitatively accounted for in a crude manner by use of the Langevin equation, which includes a drag force due to collisions in the equations of motion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0408944
Entities
People
- Mary F. Romig
Organizations
- RAND Corporation