Abstract
The theory of sperical and cylindrical probes immersed in plasmas of such low density that collisions can be neglected is formulated. The appropriate Boltzmann equation is solved, yielding the particle density and flux as functionals of the electrostatic potential, the situation in the body of the plasma, and the properties of the probe. This information when inserted in Poisson's equation serves to determine the potential, and hence the probe characteristic. No a priori separation into sheath and plasma regions is required. Though amenable to a determination of the full probe characteristic, the method is applied in detail and numerical results are presented only for the collection of monoenergetic ions, for the case of negligible electron current. These results indicate that the potential is not so insensitive to ion energy as has been believed, and that if the probe radius is sufficiently small, there enters the possibility of a class of ions which are trapped near the probe in troughs of the effective radial potential energy. The population of these trapped ions is determined by collisions, however infrequent. It is difficult to calculate, and conceivably can have a marked effect on the local potential.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.