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Building Langmuir Probes and Emissive Probes for Plasma Potential Measurements in Low Pressure, Low Temperature Plasmas
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How can slow plasma electron holes exist?

I H Hutchinson1

  • 1Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.

Physical Review. E
|August 20, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Stable solitary positive potential plasma structures, or electron holes, require specific ion velocity distributions to prevent self-acceleration. These findings suggest observed slow potential structures are likely electron holes.

Area of Science:

  • Plasma Physics
  • Space Physics
  • Astrophysics

Background:

  • Solitary positive potential plasma structures, known as electron holes, are observed in various space and astrophysical environments.
  • Understanding the stability and formation mechanisms of these structures is crucial for plasma physics.
  • Previous models have not fully explained the stability of slow-moving electron holes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To perform a one-dimensional analysis of solitary positive potential plasma structures (electron holes).
  • To determine the conditions necessary for the stable existence of slow electron holes.
  • To investigate the role of ion velocity distributions in the stability of electron holes.

Main Methods:

  • One-dimensional analysis of plasma structures.

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  • Investigating solitary positive potential structures within ion velocity distribution ranges.
  • Deriving quantitative criteria for stable equilibria.

    • Main Results:

    • Electron holes must reside within a local minimum of the ion velocity distribution to avoid self-acceleration.
    • Quantitative criteria for stable equilibria were obtained.
    • Background ion distributions are generally stable to ion-ion modes unless electron temperature significantly exceeds ion temperature.

    Conclusions:

    • Slow positive potential solitons are not possible without significant trapped electron contribution.
    • Observed slow potential structures are highly likely to be electron holes.
    • The study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the stability of observed electron holes.