Stability features of steady-state solutions for a diode with electron and ion counter-streams

Abstract

Stability features of steady-state solutions for a diode with counter-streaming electron and ion flows are studied. For this purpose, the time-dependent problem for an exponential potential perturbation with complex frequency is considered. By linearization of the Poisson equation and electron and ion densities integrodifferential equation for the potential perturbation amplitude is derived. In the case of uniform unperturbed potential distribution an explicit solution of this equation is obtained. Eigen modes of the perturbation are studied. The limiting value of the diode length above which steady state solutions in question are unstable is found. The obtained analytical Eigen modes coincide with the result of numerical simulation of the potential perturbation evolution.