Cross field transport of electrons
Subtitle: implications for the POLAR code, spacecraft charging
By: David L. Cooke, Charles Dubs, Michael Heinemann
Contributors: Dubs, Charles W.; Heinemann, Michael
Series: AFGL-TR -- 88-0127; Environmental research papers -- no. 1003; Environmental research papers (Hanscom AFB, Mass.) -- no. 1003
Publisher: Air Force Geophysics Laboratory
Published: 1988
Place of publication: Hanscom, AFB, Mass
Language: eng
Number of pages: 17
Subjects: Plasma sheaths; Ionosphere; Space vehicles; Electrostatic charging; Spacecraft charging
Description: Early studies of electron transport in crossed E and B fields have been reviewed and applied to the case of a positive surface moving in the ionosphere. That work points to the importance of the parameter q = omega p2/omega c2 in determining self consistent spacecharge distributions in cross field diodes, and similarly, a crossed field probe plasma sheath in non linear, non adiabatic limits. The application of existing theory to the problem of electron collection by a surface aligned with B indicates that for q> 1/2 the plasma sheath is only slightly perturbed by B, but for q <1/2 the sheath cannot form without electrons transported along B from the ends.
Notes: Title from cover.

"17 May 1988."

"Space Physics Division project 7601."