Particle-in-cell Simulations of the Lunar Photoelectron Sheath

Details Particle-in-cell Simulations of the Lunar Photoelectron Sheath Particle-in-cell Simulations of the Lunar Photoelectron Sheath

Dec 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufm.p23c1257p&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #P23C-1257

Physics

[0654] Electromagnetics / Plasmas, [5465] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Rings And Dust, [6250] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Moon

Scientific paper

Previous observations have identified a number phenomena on the lunar surface, which are best explained as results of duty plasma processes leading to dust charging, levitation and horizontal transport. These observations include Surveyor images of Horizon Glow (HG), astronaut sketches of dust “streamers” and in-situ measurements made by the Lunar Ejecta and Meteorite (LEAM) experiment. Recent laboratory experiments that approximately reproduced the near surface lunar plasma environment showed that charging can lead to the levitation and transport of dust grains in a tenuous electron sheath. A critical ingredient to the observed phenomena is the presence of a photoelectron sheath, formed when solar ultraviolet radiation causes the lunar regolith to emit electrons. In order to understand the dynamics and underlying physics of dust particles on the surface of the Moon, the lunar photoelectron sheath has been modeled via a 1-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) code. In order to validate this code, the results are compared with analytical solutions of the electron density, electric field and sheath thickness for three standard electron velocity distributions. Post-validation, initial simulations have focused on the dependence of the lunar photoelectric sheath on non-standard electron velocity distributions and an incoming solar wind flux. Further additions to the model will include the temporal evolution of the solar UV flux and the presence of dust particles, especially their role as sources and sinks of plasma.

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