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At least 433 records · Page 24

Iterative methods for plasma sheath calculations: Application to spherical probe

The computer cost of a Poisson-Vlasov iteration procedure for the numerical solution of a steady-state collisionless plasma-sheath problem depends on: (1) the nature of the chosen iterative algorithm, (2) the position of the outer boundary of the grid, and (3) the nature of the boundary condition applied to simulate a condition at infinity (as in three-dimensional probe or satellite-wake problems). Two iterative algorithms, in conjunction with three types of boundary conditions, are analyzed theoretically and applied to the computation of current-voltage characteristics of a spherical electrostatic probe. The first algorithm was commonly used by physicists, and its computer costs depend primarily on the boundary conditions and are only slightly affected by the mesh interval. The second algorithm is not commonly used, and its costs depend primarily on the mesh interval and slightly on the boundary conditions.

Parker, L. W.↗

Observations of interplanetary plasma waves, spacecraft noise, and sheath phenomena on Imp 7

The Imp 7 plasma wave instrument measures electric and magnetic wave components of plasma oscillations over the frequency range from 10 Hz to 100 kHz. The instrumentation and relevant external characteristics of the spacecraft that appear to be responsible for some in-flight disturbance effects are briefly described. It is shown that as each one of the 16 solar panel flats rotates into shadow or sunlight, the array transients produce fluctuating magnetic fields that are detected on the magnetic loop mounted 3.4 m from the spacecraft. These transients occur 16 times per spin period, and the corresponding magnetic noise has a high frequency on the rapidly spinning Imp 7 spacecraft. The analysis suggests that some Imp magnetic threshold levels measured 3-4 m from the spacecraft are determined by the solar array current transient effects associated with the discrete 16-sided geometry of the spacecraft. The geometry also influences the response of the electric dipole antenna by modulating the sheath.

Scarf, F. L.↗