Two-dimensional mappings of electron density and temperature within an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma cathode are presented. As electron current is extracted, a secondary plasma is formed on the upstream side of the extraction aperture, and the spatial distribution of the ECR plasma is affected. The aperture plasma is surrounded by a region of “hot” electrons, suggesting the possibility of a double layer near the aperture.
Published in:
Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on
(Volume:39
,
Issue:
11
)
Date of Publication: Nov. 2011