A modified orbital motion limited (OML) theory

TL;DR

This paper reviews and extends the orbital motion limited (OML) theory for plasma-object interactions by introducing a more realistic approach that accounts for outward and incoming currents, applicable even when standard OML fails.

Contribution

It proposes a new method for calculating floating potential in plasma, incorporating outward and incoming currents, enhancing the applicability of OML theory.

Findings

The new approach is valid where standard OML fails.

It provides a more realistic calculation of floating potential.

Applicable to spherical objects in plasma environments.

Abstract

The validity of the orbital motion limited (OML) theory is reviewed with reference to the floating potential acquired by a spherical object immersed in a plasma. A new and perhaps more realistic approach for obtaining the floating potential is introduced by including the current outward from the spherical object and the current coming from infinity. This novel approach is also valid for cases where the standard OML theory ceases to apply.