The Behavior of gridded spherical and planar electron probes in a non-Maxwellian plasma /
William J. Burke, Michael Smiddy.

Description

Main Author

Burke, William J. (Space scientist)

Related Names

Smiddy, Michael.
U.S. Air Force Geophysics Laboratory.

Language(s)

English

Published

Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts : Air Force Geophysics Laboratory, Air Force Systems Command, United States Air Force, 1978.

Subjects

Plasma probes.
Plasma (Ionized gases)
Magnetosphere.
Langmuir probes.
Ionospheric electron density.
Ionosphere.
Artificial satellites.
Artificial satellites.
Magnetosphere.
Ionospheric electron density.
Ionosphere.
Langmuir probes.
Plasma probes.
Plasma (Ionized gases)

Summary

The responses of gridded spherical and planar electrostatic probes to plasmas with kappa type distribution functions are analyzed along lines developed by Mott-Smith and Langmuir. Specifically, consider a case that could be encountered when a satellite is in the outer reaches of the plasma-sphere. Practical rules are developed for calculating the plasma's spectral index (K), its mean thermal energy, and density. It is shown that treating the plasma as though it were Maxwellian, can lead to serious overestimates of the mean thermal energy but less serious overestimates of the electron density.

Note

Research supported by the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory, Air Force Systems Command, United States Air Force, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts.
Space Physics Division Project 2311.
ADA056961 (from http://www.dtic.mil).
"16 March 1978."

Physical Description

18 pages : illustrations ; 29 cm.

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