V-Shaped Double Layers Formed by Ion Beam Reflection
Abstract
A potential double layer is observed when an ion beam is injected into a collisionless magnetoplasma along converging magnetic field lines and reflected at a positive electron-absorbing boundary. The double layer is V shaped, highly stationary, strong (eϕkTe<~25) with amplitude determined by the beam energy (ϕ<~Vb), and occurs with magnetized (H+2) and unmagnetized (Ar+) ions. Distribution function measurements show self-consistently formed trapped electrons on the high-potential side.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- November 1980
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.45.1498
- Bibcode:
- 1980PhRvL..45.1498S
- Keywords:
-
- Collisionless Plasmas;
- Electron Distribution;
- Ion Beams;
- Ion Distribution;
- Magnetic Field Configurations;
- Plasma-Particle Interactions;
- Argon;
- Earth Magnetosphere;
- Hydrogen Ions;
- Ion Injection;
- Ion Motion;
- Plasma Layers;
- Reflection;
- Plasma Physics;
- 52.35.Mw;
- 52.40.Kh;
- 94.30.Kq;
- Nonlinear phenomena: waves wave propagation and other interactions;
- Plasma sheaths;
- Electric fields field-aligned currents and current systems and ring currents