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Studies of strong laboratory double layers and comparison with computer simulation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

K. D. Baker
Affiliation:
Utah State University, Logan, USA
N. Singh
Affiliation:
Utah State University, Logan, USA
L. P. Block
Affiliation:
Department of Plasma Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, S-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
R. Kist
Affiliation:
Fraunhofer-Institut für Physikalische Messtechnik (IPM), Freiburg, FRG
W. Kampa
Affiliation:
Fraunhofer-Institut für Physikalische Messtechnik (IPM), Freiburg, FRG
H. Thiemann
Affiliation:
Fraunhofer-Institut für Physikalische Messtechnik (IPM), Freiburg, FRG

Abstract

Strong electrostatic double layers were produced with a triple plasma configuration in the large plasma chamber (5 m long, 2·5 m diameter) at IPM in Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany. Owing to relatively low densities (1011 1012m−3), Debye lengths of a few centimetres and layer thicknesses of the order of a metre were obtained. Layers both with and without magnetic fields were studied. Analysis of particle spectra prove that wave-particle interactions play a minor role in maintaining the strong electric field. The three-dimensional potential distribution is measured and is qualitatively discussed in terms of particle budget. For cases with a magnetic field it tends to agree with observations above the aurora. Comparisons are made with double-layer theory and computer experiments, and general agreement is found as far as the available results allow.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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