Electron Distribution Function in a Nonuniform, Magnetized, Weakly Photoionized Gas Application to a Model Ionosphere.
Abstract
The author presents a plasma kinetic model for the one-particle electron distribution function in a dilute, nonuniform, magnetized, weakly photoionized gas. The model includes a phenomenological treatment of photoionization of the neutral species by an externally produced photon flux; electron-ion recombination; electron-neutral particle attachment; elastic, excitation, deexcitation, and ionizing electron-neutral particle collisions; and elastic electron-electron and electron-ion collisions. Using known methods, the author obtains approximate analytic formulae for the steady-state electron distribution function at energies much larger than the electron thermal energy. For a model of the earth's ionospheric E- and F-regions at low latitudes, numerical solutions for the steady-state electron distribution function are given and compared to a curve-fitted distribution function of Max-wellian form. It is shown that the effective rate of production of electrons per unit volume is significantly enhanced due to ionizing electron-neutral particle collisions. Results for the electron concentration and the electron temperature are also given.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 12, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA014777
Entities
People
- John R. Jasperse
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories