Calculation of Threshold Conditions for Materials Charging in Maxwellian Plasmas.

Abstract

Space Plasmas at geosynchronous orbit are usually not characterized by a single Maxwellian distribution function. Plasmas are characterized as single Maxwellians to first order and as a sum of two Maxwellians as a better approximation. A threshold electron temperature condition for charging of materials in the single Maxwellian is derived. Conditions for materials charging in the dual Maxwellian case are derived and illustrated. These are threefold: an initial negative current; a threshold electron temperature and a threshold electron current.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 25, 1985
Accession Number
ADA157123

Entities

People

  • A. G. Rubin
  • M. Tautz

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aluminum
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Backscattering
  • Classification
  • Electron Emission
  • Electrons
  • Emission
  • Equations
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Low Temperature
  • Materials
  • Orbits
  • Secondary Emission
  • Security
  • Solar Cells
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Charging

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster