Whistler-Mode Radiation from the Spacelab 2 Electron Beam.

Abstract

During the Spacelab 2 mission the Plasma Diagnostics Package (PDP) performed a fly-around of the shuttle at distances of up to 300 meters while an electron beam is being ejected from the shuttle. This paper discusses a magnetic conjunction of the shuttle and the PDP while the electron gun was operating in a steady (DC) mode. During this conjunction the PDP detected a very clear funnel-shaped emission that is believed to be caused by whistler-mode emission from the beam. Ray path calculations show that the shape of the funnel can be accounted for by whistler-mode waves propagating near the resonance cone. Since the beam and waves are propagating in the same direction, the radiation must be produced by a Landau, omega(k parallel) = V sub b, interaction with the beam. Other types of waves generated by the beam are also described.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 27, 1985
Accession Number
ADA163367

Entities

People

  • Donald A. Gurnett
  • J. T. Steinberg
  • P. M. Banks
  • R. I. Bush
  • William S. Kurth

Organizations

  • University of Iowa

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Contracts
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Beams
  • Electron Guns
  • Electrons
  • Flight
  • Frequency
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Military Research
  • Particle Beams
  • Plasma Diagnostics
  • Plasma Waves
  • Radiation
  • Refractive Index
  • Space Sciences
  • Spacecraft

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics