Ion-Current Downstream of a Carbon Dioxide Helicon Double Layer

Author

Charles, Christine ; Hawkins, Rhys ; Boswell, Rod

Author_Institution

Space Plasma, Power & Propulsion Lab., Australian Nat. Univ., Canberra, ACT, Australia

Volume

39

Issue

11

fYear

2011

Firstpage

2446

Lastpage

2447

Abstract

Energy-resolved ion measurements in a carbon dioxide helicon radio-frequency plasma containing an oblique current-free double layer are obtained using a retarding field energy analyzer for standard operating conditions (i.e., 0.4 mTorr, 250 W, and 140 G). Two ion populations corresponding to thermal ions and an energetic ion beam, respectively, are observed and spatially mapped downstream of the double layer, which is in the region of diverging field lines. The measurements are mirrored about the main reactor axis using cylindrical geometry, and a 3-D image is generated.

Keywords

carbon compounds; helicons; plasma diagnostics; plasma radiofrequency heating; plasma sheaths; plasma transport processes; CO₂; carbon dioxide helicon double layer; carbon dioxide helicon radiofrequency plasma; energetic ion beam; energy resolved ion measurements; ion current; ion populations; magnetic flux density 140 G; oblique current free double layer; power 250 W; pressure 0.4 mtorr; retarding field energy analyzer; thermal ions; Current measurement; Extraterrestrial measurements; Ion beams; Ions; Magnetic resonance imaging; Plasma measurements; Plasmas; Ion beams; plasma sources;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TPS.2011.2155087

Filename

5910391