Positive Ion Impediment by short-circuiting effect in a magnetized plasma column

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a magnetic field influences plasma potential and density in a magnetized plasma column, revealing a short-circuiting effect that limits positive ion diffusion and alters plasma characteristics.

Contribution

It introduces a phenomenological model based on short-circuiting effect to explain the magnetic field-induced changes in plasma potential and density distribution.

Findings

Magnetic field causes plasma density to concentrate in the center.

Plasma potential exhibits a minima with increasing magnetic field.

Short-circuiting effect explains the divergence in plasma behavior.

Abstract

The radial characteristic of a partially magnetized plasma column created by a hot cathode filament is presented. It is found that in the absence of magnetic field, plasma potential and density varies similarly according to Boltzmann distribution. However as the magnetic field increases, a clear divergence is seen as plasma density becomes more pronounced in the centre whereas a corresponding minima is observed in plasma potential; thus limiting the radial diffusion of positive ions towards the grounded sidewalls. A phenomenological model based on short-circuiting effect is developed, which fairly explains this contrasting behaviour.