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Behaviour of ion velocity distributions for a simple collision modelCalculation of the ion velocity distributions for a weakly ionized plasma subjected to crossed electric and magnetic fields. An exact solution to Boltzmann's equation has been obtained by replacing the Boltzmann collision integral with a simple relaxation model. At altitudes above about 150 km, where the ion collision frequency is much less than the ion cyclotron frequency, the ion distribution takes the shape of a torus in velocity space for electric fields greater than 40 mV/m. This shape persists for one to two hours after application of the electric field. At altitudes where the ion collision and cyclotron frequencies are approximately equal (about 120 km), the ion velocity distribution is shaped like a bean for large electric field strengths. This bean-shaped distribution persists throughout the lifetime of ionospheric electric fields. These highly non-Maxwellian ion velocity distributions may have an appreciable affect on the interpretation of ion temperature measurements.
Document ID
19740036201
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
St-Maurice, J.-P.
(Yale University New Haven, Conn., United States)
Schunk, R. W.
(California, University La Jolla, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1974
Publication Information
Publication: Planetary and Space Science
Volume: 22
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
74A18951
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: N00014-69-A-0200-6042
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-07-004-109
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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