Validation of Boltzmann-Poisson Continuum Code with LIF measurements of Plasma Sheath in an Oblique Magnetic Field

ORAL

Abstract

Here we present the first fully three-dimensional validation of a 1D3V Boltzmann-Poisson continuum solver against 3D LIF measurements of ion and neutral velocity distribution functions taken in a magnetized plasma sheath. The multi-species full-f plasma model is solved with finite volumes in the phase-space and computes the velocity distribution functions of plasma species, facilitating a direct comparison to LIF data in the magnetic presheath. LIF measurements were taken near an absorbing boundary with a magnetic field obliquely incident to the surface. The plasma model incorporates ionization and charge exchange through a BGK collision operator, with reaction rates computed directly through convolution with the distribution functions. Results clearly display the 3D structure of the magnetized sheath, including acceleration along the ExB direction. LIF measurement work was supported by U.S. National Science Foundation Grant No. PHY-1360278.

*Work supported by Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC) Project on Plasma-Surface Interactions under DE-SC00-08875

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Authors

  • Shane Keniley

    • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering
    • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering
    • Univ of Illinois - Urbana

  • Davide Curreli

    • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering
    • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering
    • Univ of Illinois - Urbana

  • Derek S. Thompson

    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics
    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
    • West Virginia University

  • Miguel F. Henriquez

    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics
    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
    • West Virginia University

  • David Caron

    • West Virginia Univ
    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics
    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics and Astronomy

  • Andrew J. Jemiolo

    • West Virginia Univ
    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics
    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
    • West Virginia University

  • Jacob McLaughlin

    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics
    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
    • West Virginia Univ

  • Mikal T. Dufor

    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics
    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics and Astronomy

  • Luke Neal

    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics
    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University

  • Earl Scime

    • West Virginia University
    • West Virginia Univ
    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics
    • West Virginia University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University

  • M. Umair Siddiqui

    • Phase Four, Inc.