The effect of the geomagnetic field on negative voltage spheres in the ionospheric plasma: Fluid simulation

Details The effect of the geomagnetic field on negative voltage spheres in the ionospheric plasma: Fluid simulation The effect of the geomagnetic field on negative voltage spheres in the ionospheric plasma: Fluid simulation

Jul 1994

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994p%26ss...42..531m&link_type=abstract

Planetary and Space Science (ISSN 0032-0633), vol. 42, no. 7, p. 531-538

Physics

Atmospheric Models, Density Distribution, Earth Ionosphere, Earth Orbital Environments, Electric Potential, Geomagnetism, Ionospheric Electron Density, Ionospheric Ion Density, Magnetohydrodynamic Flow, Plasma Drift, Plasmas (Physics), Computerized Simulation, Electric Fields, Ion Motion, Mathematical Models

Scientific paper

Experiments involving the interaction of spherical conducting objects biases with hight voltages in the Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) environment have been conducted and designed. In these experiments, both positive and negative voltages have been applied to the spheres. Previously, there have been theoretical and numerical studies of positive voltage spheres in plasmas with and without magnetic fields. There also have been studies of negative voltage objects in unmagnetized plasmas. Here, we used a fluid model to study the plasma response to a negative voltage sphere immersed in a magnetized plasma. Our main purpose was to investigate the role of the magnetic field during the early-time interaction between the negative voltage sphere and the ambient plasma in the LEO environment. In this study, different applied voltages, magnetic field strengths, and rise-times of the applied voltages were considered. It was found that with the strength of the geomagnetic field the ions are basically not affected by the magnetic field on the time scale of hundreds of plasma periods considered in this study. The ion density distribution around the sphere and the collected ion flux by the sphere are basically the same as in the case without the magnetic field. The electron motion is strongly affected by the magnetic field. One effect is to change the nature of the electron over-shoot oscillation from regular to somewhat turbulent. Although the electrons move along the magnetic field much more easily than across the magnetic field, some redirection effect causes the electron density to distribute as if the magnetic field effect is minimal. The sheath struture and the electric field around the sphere tend to be spherical. A finite rise-time of the applied voltage reduces the oscillatory activities and delays the ion acceleration. However, the effect of the rise-time depends on both the duration of the rise-time and the ion plasma period.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The effect of the geomagnetic field on negative voltage spheres in the ionospheric plasma: Fluid simulation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The effect of the geomagnetic field on negative voltage spheres in the ionospheric plasma: Fluid simulation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The effect of the geomagnetic field on negative voltage spheres in the ionospheric plasma: Fluid simulation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-823402