Density distribution of an electron plasma column in a Penning discharge

Abstract

A technique of determining the density distribution of an electron plasma column confined by non-uniform magnetic fields is presented. The non-uniform confining fields cause the electron density distribution to be non-uniform not only radially, but also axially. Calculations of the plasma shapes show that for a stable plasma mode the plasma surface follows a flux tube in some range of the z axis and gradually shrinks towards the ends. For the plasma whose surface follows a flux tube, the central density profile can be deduced from the measured axially projected density profile. Analysis of the l=0 plasma wave dispersion relation further supports the diagnostics in the electron density distribution.

n0proptoB02relation and density limit of a magnetised electron plasma supported by Penning discharge

“…In Ref. [2] we have shown that the electron Table I. A set of the parameters of the plasma columns whose radial projiles are shown in Fig.…”