MacLachlan, C.S., Diver, D.A. and Potts, H.E. (2009) The evolution of electron overdensities in magnetic fields. New Journal of Physics, 11(6), 063001. (doi: 10.1088/1367-2630/11/6/063001)
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Abstract
When a neutral gas impinges on a stationary magnetized plasma an enhancement in the ionization rate occurs when the neutrals exceed a threshold velocity. This is commonly known as the critical ionization velocity effect. This process has two distinct timescales: an ion–neutral collision time and electron acceleration time. We investigate the energization of an ensemble of electrons by their self-electric field in an applied magnetic field. The evolution of the electrons is simulated under different magnetic field and density conditions. It is found that electrons can be accelerated to speeds capable of electron impact ionization for certain conditions. In the magnetically dominated case the energy distribution of the excited electrons shows that typically 1% of the electron population can exceed the initial electrostatic potential associated with the unbalanced ensemble of electrons.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | MacLachlan, Dr Craig and Potts, Hugh and Diver, Professor Declan |
| Authors: | MacLachlan, C.S., Diver, D.A., and Potts, H.E. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
| Journal Name: | New Journal of Physics |
| Journal Abbr.: | New J. Phys. |
| Publisher: | Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd. |
| ISSN: | 1367-2630 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1367-2630 |
| Published Online: | 03 June 2009 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2009 Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd. |
| First Published: | First published in New Journal of Physics 11(6):063001 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher |
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