Abstract Experiments with the electron emitters on the SCATHA satellite produced evidence of beam-plasma interactions, and heating of the low energy electrons around the satellite. These experiments were conducted near geosynchronous orbit, in the dusk bulge, and plasma sheet, with one short operation in the lobe regions, providing a range of ambient plasma densities. An electron gun was operated at 50 eV, with beam currents of 1, 10 and 100 μA. Also, a filament emitter was used in a mode where it was biased −100 V w.r.t. the satellite, at a current setting of 20 μA. Data from electrostatic analyzers show that the satellite charged to near the beam energy in sunlight, if the beam current was sufficient. Higher ambient electron fluxes necessitated higher beam currents. The electrostatic analyzers showed distribution functions which had peaks, or plateaus at energies greater than the satellite potential in the daylight experiments. These measurements indicate heating of the ambient plasma, at several Debye lengths from the satellite (several 10's ??? of meters), with the heated plasma then accelerated into the satellite. It is likely that the source of the heated plasma is in fact the photoelectron sheath generated by the satellite.
Electron beam experiments at high altitudes
Advances in Space Research ; 8 , 1 ; 161-164
01.01.1988
4 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Electron beam experiments at high altitudes
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