EFFECTS OF A GENERALIZED PRESHEATH SOURCE IN FLOWING MAGNETIZED PLASMAS

This paper extends the previous kinetic model [Phys. Rev. A 38, 4721 (1988)] of probing objects in flowing magnetized plasmas by generalizing cross-field transport and adding ionization to the source in the Boltzmann equation along the presheath. Ion sheath current density and ratio (R) of upstream to downstream current are obtained as a function of normalized plasma drift velocity (M), equivalent viscosity ratio (alpha), ion temperature (T-i-infinity)), and ionization rate (sigma-i). The form R = exp(M/M(c)) fits the results very well and the calibration factor (M(c)) is obtained. Here M(c) decreases as alpha increases, T-i-infinity increases, or sigma-i increases. Comparisons with fluid and kinetic models are presented.