Nonlinear Development of the Ion Acoustic Instability in a Low Pressure Discharge,
Abstract
The linear and nonlinear stage of the ion-acoustic instability in a low pressure discharge in helium was investigated extensively. The linear stage was found to be well described by kinetic equations that include electron-neutral and ion-neutral collisions as well as the effect of a static electric field. The dispersion properties of the waves and their spatial growth rate were measured and compared with theoretical values. The detection characteristic of Langmuir probes for ion-acoustic waves was studied in detail and a theoretical model for it is proposed. Spatial saturation of the instability level was observed and its magnitude was found to be consistent with the idea that saturation is produced by trapping of electrons in the potential of the waves. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0763590
Entities
People
- Masaaki Yamada
Organizations
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign