Techniques for the Simulation of the Space Plasma Environment,

Abstract

The effects of space plasmas with distributed spectra of particle energies can be simulated in the laboratory by combinations of monoenergetic electron and ion beams. The energy and current density of beams are calculated to provide piecewise reproduction of distributed spectra and by matching various moments of the velocity distribution functions of space plasmas. Analytical solutions for several cases have been found to simulate Maxwellian and two-Maxwellian distribution functions. Spacecraft charging by geomagnetic substorm plasmas and combinations of monoenergetic beams is compared qualitatively using a simple model. We find similar charging characteristics for the plasmas and a few beams specified by the moment matching techniques. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA097734

Entities

People

  • Ward D. Halverson

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Charged Particles
  • Current Density
  • Distribution Functions
  • Earth Orbits
  • Electron Emission
  • Electrons
  • Environment
  • Ion Beams
  • Ions
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Orbits
  • Particle Flux
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Charging
  • Spacecraft Components

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster