Charge neutralization as studied experimentally and theoreticallyProblems regarding an isolated sphere which emits negative charge are considered. Such a sphere could charge up to large potentials which would inhibit the electron beam from leaving the vicinity of the body. In order to avoid charging to high potentials, a vehicle must attract a return current equal to the emitted current. The present investigation is concerned with theoretical models of some processes believed to be important for the vehicle neutralization problem under various conditions. Attention is given to general time-scale considerations, the low-altitude regime, the high-altitude regime, vehicle-induced discharge, and beam-plasma discharge. The general pattern which emeres as a result of measurements is that below altitudes of approximately 125 + or - 5 km the vehicle potential rarely rises more than several tens of volts.
Document ID
19830052991
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Linson, L. M. (Science Applications, Inc. La Jolla, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1982
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Meeting Information
Meeting: Artificial particle beams in space plasma studies; Advanced Research Institute