On Plasma Sheath Resonant Energy Absorption in Collisionless Plasmas
Abstract
We have performed experiments designed to investigate the radiation characteristics of a spherical capacitive probe in a plasma environment in the large Space Physics Simulation Chamber at the Naval Research Laboratory. In the process we are able to approximate plasma density and electron neutral collision frequency in simulated space plasma environments consistent with earlier experimental efforts using plasma impedance probes. By using only the S(sub 11)-parameter outputs of a network analyzer, or the reflection coefficients, we are able to unfold both these quantities with measured data sets. In addition, we observe significant energy absorption at frequencies much less than the plasma frequency which we associate with a sheath-plasma resonance. This report is an exposition of this method along with data results and a comparison to theory.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 19, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA427790
Entities
People
- D. N. Walker
- David D. Blackwell
- Richard F. Fernsler
- Sarah J. Messert
- William E. Amatucci
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory