Dynamics of magnetic insulation failure and self-organization of an electron flow in a magnetron diode

The dynamics of back cathode bombardment (BCB) instability in a magnetron diode (a coaxial diode in a magnetic field, B ≡ B _0z ≡ B ₀) is numerically simulated. The quasi-stationary regime of electron leakage across the high magnetic field (B ₀/B _cr > 1.1, where B _cr is the insulation critical field) is realized. An electron beam in the electrode gap is split into a series of bunches in the azimuthal direction and generates the electric field component E _θ(r, θ, t), which accelerates some of the electrons. Having gained an extra energy, these electrons bombard the cathode, causing secondary electron emission. The rest of the electrons lose kinetic energy and move toward the anode. Instability is sustained if the primary emission from the cathode is low and the secondary emission coefficient k _se=I _se/I _{e, BCB} is greater than unity. The results of numerical simulation are shown to agree well with experimental data. A physical model of back-bombardment instability is suggested. Collective oscillations of charged flows take place in the gap with crossed electric and magnetic fields (E × B field) when the electrons and E × B field exchange momentum and energy. The self-generation and self-organization of flows are due to secondary electron emission from the cathode.     

The Influence of the Fluctuation Amplitude on the Probe Characteristic

The time-averaged probe current is calculated by using a sampling method for sinusoidal and sawtooth-like oscillations of the space potential. The effect of oscillations on the measured plasma parameters obtained with the aid of the single probe method, double probe method and the method of the second derivative of the probe characteristic is discussed, with the electron saturation current being taken into account. In the ion current the values r_p/λ_D, λ/r_p and M_i characterizing the working regime are varied. The calculated results are checked by corresponding measurements in a beam generated plasma.     

Sondenmessung der Plasmaparameter und deren Fluktuation in Argon-Niederdruck-Schwachstrom-Säulen im transversalen Magnetfeld

This paper reports on measurements of probe noise and double probe characteristics in argon-low-pressure low-current discharges under the influence of a local transversal magnetic field. Above a critical value of magnetic field intensity B_c there are no moving striations but partially correlated fluctuations. The space distribution of probe noise (ion saturation current and floating potential) and the measured values of electron temperature and density are discussed. At B_c a characteristic value of electron temperature T_e,c ≈ 1,4 eV independent of filling pressure has been found. A first opinion on the character of the fluctuations is given.     

Formation and Dynamics of Very Deep Negative Potential Well in the Small Tokamak Device CSTN-IV

We achieved a potential well more than fifty times deeper than the plasma electron temperature, down to -0.3 kV with the electrode biasing, by the cross-field radial arcing current of up to 150 A which flows between the small electron-emitting electrode (LaB₆) inserted to the plasma center and the stainless-steel wall of vacuum chamber. The empirical scaling of the radial resistance of plasma R _r on the radial arcing current I _b and the toroidal magnetic field B _T is found to be R _r I _b ^-1.2 B _T ^1.0. Structural dynamics of negative potential well formation is observed: the potential dip propagates from the plasma core to the periphery. The ion saturation current also increases, starting from the inner region. The fluctuation frequency in I _sat changes abruptly from 200 kHz to 30 kHz in a time of around 0.25 ms after negative biasing.     

Influence of peripheral radial electric field on L-H transition in T-10 tokamak

In this paper the peripheral plasma behaviour during and after L-H transition on the tokamak T-10 is considered. Abrupt changes of Scrape-Off Layer (SOL) plasma parameters (ion saturation current, floating potential, electron temperature) are observed in regimes with transition to the improved plasma confinement. Such changes begin (5–150) ms prior to the L-H transition. The time delay of a transition depends on auxiliary plasma heating powerP _aux and plasma currentI _p (at constant toroidal magnetic field inductionB _t). Presented at the Workshop on the Role of Electric Fields in Plasma Confinement and Exhaust, Budapest, 18–19 June, 2000. This work is supported by Ministry of Atomic Energy of Russia (contract 69F) and by Ministry of Science and Technology of Russia (Federal Program “Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion and Plasma Processes”).     

Langmuir Probe Measurements in a Grid-Assisted Magnetron Sputtering System

The grid-assisted magnetron sputtering is a variation of the magnetron sputtering commonly used for thin film deposition. In this work, Langmuir probe measurements were performed in such a system by using the grid under two basic and practical electrical conditions, i.e., floating and grounded. The results show that grounding the grid leads to an enhancement of the plasma confinement and to increases in both floating and plasma potential, as inferred from the probe characteristics. The grounded grid drains electrons from the plasma, acting as an auxiliary anode and reducing the plasma diffusion toward the chamber walls. For the same discharge current, the improved confinement results in a lower electron temperature when compared to floating condition, although the electron densities are comparable in both cases.     

Runaway electrons as a diagnostic of plasma internal magnetic fluctuations

The transport of runaway electrons in a high-temperature plasma is relatively easy to measure in a steady state experiment and a perturbation experiment, which provides runaway electron diffusion coefficient D_r. This diffusion coefficient is determined by internal magnetic fluctuations, so it can be interpreted in terms of a magnetic fluctuation level. The internal magnetic fluctuation level ($\tilde {b}_r/B_T is estimated to be about (2--4)×^-4 in the HL-1M plasma. The results presented here demonstrate the effectiveness of using runaway electron transport techniques to determine internal magnetic fluctuations. A profile of magnetic fluctuation level in the HL-1M plasma can be estimated from D_r.     

Thickness and angular dependence of the L‐edge X‐ray absorption of nickel thin films

We report on the near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy of the L₃ (2p_3/2) and L₂ (2p_1/2) edges for ferromagnetic pure nickel transition metal and show that the L_2,3 edge peak intensity and satellite feature at ~6 eV above the L₃ edge in nickel increase with increasing nickel film thickness both in the total electron yield and transmission modes. The absorption spectra of nickel metal, however, exhibit strong angular‐dependent effects when measured in total electron yield mode. In addition, we calculated the mean electron escape depth of the emitted electrons (λ_e), which was found for pure nickel metal to be λ_e=25 ± 2 Å. We point out the advantages of the total electron yield technique for the study of the L‐edge of 3d transition metals. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The electric field of an electron in an electron–hole plasma with degenerate electrons: Possibility of formation of a superconductivity state

We consider the possibility of the formation of a superconductivity state either in a semiconductor or in an electron–hole plasma with degenerate electrons due to the attractive forces between the electrons as a result of the exchange effects through the electron–hole sound wave by an analogy to the phonon waves in a solid state. We have determined an interaction potential between two electrons in a degenerate electron–hole plasma. The potential appears to be attractive at distances much larger than the Debye radius and decreases as 1/r³. We discuss the conditions in which the bound electron state, the so‐called “Cooper Pair,” in a such field can be formed.     

Observation of ring–shaped pulsed DC discharge plasma source using single pole magnet setups for material processing

ABSTRACT

A pulsed direct current (DC) discharge ring–shaped plasma source has been proposed using single pole magnet arrangements, including a center magnet, with magnets in the setups (a): one circle, (b): two circles, and (c): three circles. The three-dimensional (3D) magnetic flux lines profiles, gyro–radii and Hall parameters of the electrons and ions, the electrical discharge characteristics, the temporal evolutions of the ion saturation currents were investigated to characterize the proposed plasma source. The calculated electron gyro–radii, r_e were 0.17, 1.64, 5.82?mm for setups (a), (b), and (c), respectively. The strong ring–shaped plasma discharges was observed for all setups. The typical discharge voltages were 1.0, 0.6, and 0.6?kV for setups (a), (b), and (c), respectively. The ion saturation currents, I_isat were 1.44, 2.88, and 2.2?mA for setups (a), (b), and (c), respectively at r?=?45?mm and t?=?+10?μs. The I_isat of setup (b) is less fluctuating, whereas I_isat of setup (a) and (c) is highly variable in all positions, so that setup (b) has the best profile among the setups.     

Simulation of a Planar Emissive Probe in a Mid‐Sized Tokamak Plasma

Planar emissive probe is studied for the first time using a massively parallel particle‐in‐cell code BIT1 [22]. The probe is immersed in a plasma similar to edge plasmas of mid‐sized tokamaks. Dependence of the floating potential on electron emission from the probe is studied. With increasing emission the floating potential increases, but then saturates ～2T_e below the actual plasma potential (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

栅极调制纳米线的场增强因子计算

利用悬浮球模型和镜像电荷法计算了栅极调制纳米线的顶端表面电场,给出了场发射增强因子表达式β=1/2（3.5+L/r₀+W）,式中L与r₀分别是纳米线长度与顶端表面曲率半径,W是由栅孔半径R、阴极与栅极间距d以及纳米线自身几何参数所决定的函数．结果表明,纳米线长径比对场增强因子的影响很显著;当阴极与栅极间距较近时,场增强因子随d的增加而减小 关键词： 栅极调制纳米线 场增强因子 悬浮球     

Effect of Discharge Plasma Potential on Diffusion Plasma Parameters Controlled by a Mesh Grid in a Double Plasma Device

The plasma region under investigation is separated from the discharge region by a mesh grid. Plasma potential and electron number densities and electron temperatures under bi‐Maxwellian approximation for electron distribution function of the multi‐dipole argon plasma are measured. The cold electrons in the diffusion region are produced by local ionization. The hot electrons are the ionizing electrons behaving as Maxwellian. The electron trapping process in the discharge region is produced by potential well due to positive plasma potential with respect to the anode and by a repulsive grid. The dependence of ratios of the density of the hot to the cold electrons N_E (=N_eh/N_ec) and hot to cold electron temperature T(=T_eh/T_ec) in the diffusion region on the depth of the potential well has been investigated. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Zero differential resistance in a double quantum well at high filling factors

The differential resistance r _xx in a GaAs double quantum well with two occupied size-quantization subbands have been studied at temperatures T = 1.6–4.2 K in magnetic fields B < 0.5 T. It has been found that differential resistance r _xx vanishes at the maxima of magneto-intersubband oscillations with an increase in the direct current I _dc. It has been shown that the discovered r _xx ≈ 0 state appears under the condition 2R _c E _H/ħω_c < 1/2, where R _c is the cyclotron radius of electrons at the Fermi level, E _H is the Hall electric field induced by the current I _dc, and ω_c is the cyclotron frequency.     

Velocity distribution of plasma electrons in the negative H2- and He-glow with superimposed longitudinal magnetic field

The negative glow plasma has been found nearly field free in axial direction. Therefore plasma electrons in the stationary glow can thermalize down to the temperature of the neutral gas, whenever their diffusion—and recombination—lifetime is high enough. Applying Boltzmann's equation to this problem, the conditions of thermalization of plasma electrons are derived as a function of the outer parameters of the plasma: vessel diameter 2R, neutral gas pressurep and longitudinal magnetic fieldB. — If plasma electrons have a too short diffusion—and recombination—lifetime to be in thermal equilibrium with the neutral gas, the electron energy increases. For this case the distribution function of plasma electrons is derived using Boltzmann's equation. Approximating the calculated energy distribution by a Maxwellian distribution function, the electron temperature in the glow is obtained as a function of the parameters:R, p, B. OurT _e -measurements carried out in the H₂- and He-glows of different tube diameters, neutral gas pressures and magnetic fields agree closely with the theoretical results. TheT _e -measurements have been performed with Langmuir probes and by the method of reversal of the radial ambipolar electric field in a longitudinal magnetic field.     

Is the Abrikosov model applicable for describing electronic vortices in plasmas?

A new model of electronic vortices in plasma is studied. The model assumes that the profile of the Lagrangian invariant I, equal to the ratio I=Ω/n of the electronic vorticity to the electron density, is given. The proposed approach takes into account the magnetic Debye scale r _B ≃B/4πen, which leads to breakdown of plasma quasineutrality. It is shown that the Abrikosov singular model cannot be used to describe electron vortices in plasmas because of the fundamental limitation on the electron vorticity on the axis of a vortex in a plasma. Analysis of the equations shows that in the model considered for the electronic vorticity, the total magnetic flux decreases when the size r ₀ of the region in which I≠0 becomes less than c/ω_pe (ω_pe is the electron plasma frequency). For ω _pe r ₀/c≪1, an electronic vortex is formed in which the magnetic flux decreases as r ₀ ² and the inertial component predominates in the electronic vorticity. The structure arising as ω _pe r ₀/c⇒0 is a narrow “hole” in the electron density, which can be identified from the spectrum of electromagnetic waves in this region. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 67, No. 7, 461–466 (10 April 1998)     

Experimental measurements and modelling of the structure of the radial electric field in RFX

The experimental determination of the radial electric fieldE _r and the associatedE ×B drift velocity at the edge of RFX is presented and possible mechanisms responsible for its generation are discussed.E _r measurements by means of an array of Langmuir probes and those deduced from Doppler spectroscopy of impurity lines agree fairly well. In particular the rotation velocity of the plasma edge has been determined from the Doppler shift of a C III emission line. The observation of other ions characterised by different radial positions, such as B IV and C V, has allowed an estimate of the velocity shear. Typical values of plasma rotation at the edge are around 10 km/s while the velocity shear is of the order of (10⁵−10⁶)s⁻¹ in the spontaneous layer, a few cm thick, usually observed in standard discharges. Plasma rotation has been artificially modified by both positive and negative edge biasing and the associated increase or decrease of the fluid velocity is well in agreement with the radial electric field change. The modification ofE _r during edge biasing and Pulsed Poloidal Current Drive (PPCD) are also reported and interpreted within a momentum balance model. Analytical and self-consistent Monte Carlo models at the plasma edge suggest that impurities have a relevant role in the generation of the radial electric field, due to their relatively large Larmor radius. Presented at the Workshop on Role of Electric Fields in Plasma Confinement and Exhaust, Budapest, 18–19 June 2000.     

Atomic Model Calculations of Gain Saturation in the 46.9 nm Line of Ne‐like Ar

The gain saturation in the 46.9 nm line of the Ar⁺⁸ laser is analyzed using an atomic kinetics code. The dependence of the gain (G) on the electron kinetic temperature (T_e) in the region (50 ‐150 eV) is calculated in the quasi steady‐state approximation for the different values of the electron density (N_e) and the plasma radius (r_pl). The influence of radiat on trapping, ion random and mean velocities, Stark line broadening and refraction losses on the gain saturation is taken into consideration. For r_pl = 150‐600 μm, the amplplication (G > 0 cm^‐1) exists in the large temperature/density domain (T_e = 60‐150 eV, N_e = 0.5‐10 × 10¹⁸ cm^‐3). However, the value G_s ∼ 1.4 cm^‐1 required for the gain saturation at the typical plasma length L_pl ∼ 15 cm is reached in the extremely narrow density regions at the high temperatures. The saturation is reached for r_pl = 600 μm at T^s_e = 150 eV in the region N^s_e = 1.8‐2 × 10¹⁸ cm ^‐3, for r_pl = 300 μm at T^s_e = 125 eV and N^s_e = 2.5‐3 × 10¹⁸ cm^‐3, and for r_pl = 150 μm at T^s_e = 110 eV and N^s_e = 3‐4 × 10¹⁸ cm^‐3. The broadest density region (N^s_e = 2 ‐8 × 10¹⁸ cm^‐3) is predicted for the narrowest column (r_pl = 150 μm) at the highest temperature (T^s_e = 150 eV). The operation in the broadest density region N^s_e, should make easier achievement of the gain saturation in the experiments.     

Comparison of probe and microwave measurements of electron density in plasmatic cylinder

The paper deals with a comparison of the measurement of the electron density of a plasmatic cylinder in a weak magnetic field (radius of cyclotron rotation of ionsr _Hi is larger than radius of probea) parallel to the axis of the plasma by means of a cylindrical Langmuir probe and a microwave interferometer in the X band. A Langmuir probe is used to measure the electron density distribution across the cross-section of the plasmatic cylinder, i.e. in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. The measured density distribution is used to determine the mean electron density over the cylinder cross-section. This mean electron density is compared with the density found with a microwave interferometer. In evaluating the measurements the concentration of the microwave energy through the antennas of the interferometer in the cross-section of the plasmatic cylinder is considered. The difference of the mean electron density found by the microwave method from the mean density found by the probe method was in the least favourable case 30%. In conclusion, the paper gives a comparison of the probe and microwave measurements of the plasma density in a stronger magnetic field, whenr _Hi a.The authors thank J. Teichmann, C. Sc., R. Klíma, C.Sc. and other members of the department for discussions of the results, V. Kopecký for aid in the probe measurements and the director of the institute, Ing. J. Váa, for his interest in the experiments.     

地基高频加热激励ELF/VLF波对辐射带高能电子的准线性散射

地球内、外辐射带电子通量的变化对于空间飞行器,尤其是中低轨卫星的防护有着非常重要的影响.基于回旋共振波粒相互作用的准线性理论,使用地基高频发射器发射电波调制低电离层背景电流可以人工激励ELF/VLF波,这些波能使辐射带相对论电子发生抛射角散射沉降进入大气层从而降低其生存期.为了定量地分析人工激励ELF/VLF波散射辐射带高能粒子的可行性,针对内、外辐射带,本文选取了两个典型区域：L=4.6和L=1.5.数值计算结果表明,在内、外辐射带由于ELF/VLF波的人工注入而造成的高能电子损失时间尺度很大程度上取决于冷等离子体参量α^*(∝B²/N₀,这里B是背景磁场,N₀是电子数密度)、电波频谱特性和功率,以及与波发生回旋共振的电子能量.一般来讲,在外辐射带人工ELF/VLF哨声波散射相对论电子使之沉降到大气层要容易得多;低能量的高能电子(200keV)要比高能量的相对论电子(500keV)更有效地通过抛射角散射进入大气层.考虑到高频电波加热电离层激励的ELF/VLF波可能会被捕获在磁层空腔中,来回反射从而得到增强,因此在适当的条件下,地基高频加热装置发射足够的电波功率进入电离层诱导大幅度ELF/VLF波注入到内磁层,能够在1至3天的时间尺度内快速散射外辐射带相对论电子使之沉降,也能够在10天量级的时间尺度里散射生存周期一般为100天甚至更长的内辐射带相对论电子. 关键词： 地基高频加热电离层 ELF/VLF波激励 高能电子散射和沉降 共振波粒相互作用