Ion Scattering in a Self-Consistent Cylindrical Plasma Sheath
Abstract
Results are presented from a study of charged particle scattering about a charged wire in an ionospheric plasma. The one dimensional case assumes an infinite wire in an unmagnetized plasma with finite and equal ion and electron temperatures. Because particle energy and angular momentum are conserved in such a formulation, the results have the potential to provide a standard against which to compare more complicated electrodynamic tether simulations. Results indicate that higher plasma shielding limits the range of impact parameters that experience significant scattering, and that attracted particles entering tangent to the sheath experience increased scattering. The results also show that there are significant changes in orbital trajectories between different space charges within the OML limit.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA473164
Entities
People
- D. L. Cooke
- Nikos A. Gatsonis
- Shana S. Figueroa
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory