Collisional Processes at Low Densities in Magnetic Mirror Systems

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Abstract
The study of collisional processes in plasmas produced by neutral-atom injection into magnetic mirror fields is described. The emphasis is on the many collisional processes which occur as the plasma density increases. Experimental and theoretical results are given. The experimental results are discussed first in terms of a simple model which assumes a Maxwellian electron distribution and a monoenergetic ion component of much higher energy. Analytical solutions may be obtained for this model. Also presented is a more complete theory employing two time-dependent Fokker-Planck equations to describe the behavior of the electron and ion distribution functions. Both models are in good agreement with measured values of the electron temperature and plasma potential. The equilibrium values of these two quantities are found to vary as the 35 power of the ratio of the plasma density to the background-gas density.