Electron Energy Distribution of a Current-Free Double Layer: Druyvesteyn Theory and Experiments

Kazunori Takahashi, Christine Charles, Rod W. Boswell, and Tamiya Fujiwara

Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 035002 – Published 11 July 2011

Abstract

Electron energy distributions upstream of a current-free double layer (CFDL) contained in a low-collisional plasma are modeled and compared with experimental results. The experimentally observed electron energy probability functions (EEPFs) with a depleted tail above the energy corresponding to the potential drop of the CFDL can be well approximated by a Druyvesteyn distribution function. Theoretical effective electron temperatures for the Druyvesteyn distribution are in good agreement with the values obtained from the experimental EEPFs over the range of pressure where the CFDL is observed.

Received 7 April 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.035002

Authors & Affiliations

Kazunori Takahashi^1,2,*, Christine Charles¹, Rod W. Boswell¹, and Tamiya Fujiwara²

¹Space Plasma, Power and Propulsion Group, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia
²Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Iwate University, Morioka 020-8551, Japan

^*kazunori@iwate-u.ac.jp

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Issue

Vol. 107, Iss. 3 — 15 July 2011

Reuse & Permissions

Access Options

Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Physical Review Letters