Continuously Injected Plasma Columns
Abstract
Electron plasma columns continuously injected into a Malmberg-Penning trap display a rich evolution. Electrons emitted from an illuminated photocathode are trapped in the electrostatic well formed by the negatively biased photocathode and the trap end cylinder. Initially, the injections form cylinders of uniform density. As the density increases, the columns hollow in an attempt to match the potential profile of the equipotential cathode. The hollow columns are subject to the diocotron instability, and as the evolution becomes increasingly turbulent, the columns slowly expand to the trap wall. We present preliminary results and analysis of the trapping mechanism and the 2D dynamics of a continuously injected system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 24, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADP012543
Entities
People
- Joel Fajans
- Tom Pasquini
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley