Experimental Evidence of a Double Layer in a Large Volume Helicon Reactor

O. Sutherland, C. Charles, N. Plihon, and R. W. Boswell
Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 205002 – Published 7 November 2005

Abstract

The self-consistently generated current-free electric double layer (DL) is shown to scale up with the source tube diameter and appears not to be affected by rf driving frequency and changes in reactor geometry. This Letter presents the first simultaneous measurements of local plasma potential and beam energy as a function of axial position. The DL is shown to be no more than 5 mm thick (20 D lengths) and positioned just downstream of the maximum in the magnetic field gradient. Furthermore, its position relative to the magnetic field is observed to be invariant as the magnetic field is translated axially. Measurements of the potential drop across the DL are presented for pressures down to 0.09 mTorr and the DL strength (ϕDL/Te) is determined to be between 5 and 7.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 4 April 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.205002

©2005 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

O. Sutherland1, C. Charles1, N. Plihon1,2, and R. W. Boswell1

  • 1Space Plasma and Plasma Processing Group, Plasma Research Laboratory, Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Australian National University, Acton 0200, Canberra, Australia
  • 2Laboratoire de Physique et Technologie des Plasmas, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau, Paris, France

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 95, Iss. 20 — 11 November 2005

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×