PLASMA PROPERTIES BY MOMENTUM CHANGE.
Abstract
The use of the momentum change technique to determine average properties of a plasma from its interaction with applied electric and magnetic fields was investigated. Experiments were performed using a linear crossed field accelerator. An analysis for the calculation of average values of the scalar conductivity, Hall coefficient and ion slip coefficient is developed and applied to experimental results obtained with argon at the pressures of 2, 4 and 8 mm Hg. From those values, the electron temperature and number density and the mean electron-ion collision time were calculated. Assuming a relation between the electron and heavy particle temperatures, the heavy particle densities, the mean ion-atom collision time and the ion-atom collision cross-section were calculated. The experimental and total uncertainties of the results are estimated. The results are compared for consistency with possible equilibrium and nonequilibrium states. The results were found to have slightly better than order of magnitude accuracy and to be consistent, within that degree of accuracy, with possible equilibrium states. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0603097
Entities
People
- D. L. Ward
- P. D. Lenn