Time-Dependent Plasma Behavior Triggered by a Pulsed Electron Gun under Conditions of Beam-Plasma-Discharge

We report increased ionization and electron heating induced by interaction of an injected electron beam with the ionospheric plasma. Just after the end of each beam injection pulse, the thermal electrons are found to be heated up to 2 eV. The variation of the temperature after a beam pulse is shown to be related to the gradient of temperature across magnetic field lines. The scale length of the gradient is independent of the beam energy but is a function of both the beam pitch angle and current. The radial extent of the disturbed region across the B‐field is also studied as a function of the beam parameters and of the altitude, and is shown to extend up to 50 m. Higher current beam injections are accompanied by a substantial amount of ionization. Resulting plasma densities can reach more than 5 times the background value.

show abstract

Waves generated during electron beam emissions from the space shuttle

Neubert¹,

Taylor²,

Storey³

et al. 1986

J. Geophys. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Some results from the SEPAC (Space Experiments with Particle Accelerators) experiment flown on the Spacelab 1 shuttle mission are presented. The active part of the experiment included the injection of electron beams at currents up to 300 mA, and energies up to 5 keV. The main focus of the paper is on the wave activity observed during these beam emissions. It is found that the noise in the 0.75‐ to 10‐kHz VLF band has a spectral shape that can be characterized by an f−n law, and that the VLF signal level depends on the beam angle to the magnetic field, the strongest emissions being observed for parallel beams. These features are found to be consistent with a drift wave instability. In the 0.1‐ to 8‐MHz frequency range, very little activity is detected, probably due to a too low gain setting. Reference is made to results from two other electron beam experiments performed from the space shuttle, namely PICPAB (Phenomena Induced by Charged Particle Beams), also flown on Spacelab 1, and FPEG (Fast Pulse Electron Gun) flown on STS 3. Some comments on the space shuttle as a platform for investigation of beam‐plasma interactions are provided.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Time-Dependent Plasma Behavior Triggered by a Pulsed Electron Gun under Conditions of Beam-Plasma-Discharge

Cited by 6 publications

References 9 publications

Electron beams and their interactions with the ionosphere — A review of the E| |B series

Electron beams and their interactions with the ionosphere — A review of the E| |B series

A study of the ionospheric disturbance induced by an injected electron beam

Waves generated during electron beam emissions from the space shuttle

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About