Simulating Ionospheric Plasma with a Hollow Cathode in a Large Vacuum Chamber

摘要

A plasma environment closely approximating the ionosphere can be generated by a hollow cathode assembly in a large vacuum chamber. This capability allows examinations of ionospheric-plasma phenomena in a controlled setting without, in most cases, relying on scaling techniques. The hollow cathode provides a low-temperature, low- density, fairly uniform plasma in its far field, and the large chamber provides ample room such that the effects of plasma confinement are reduced to a minimum.