Particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo simulation of dusty plasmas near spacecraft surfaces

Robert E. Erlandson; N. A. Gatsonis

doi:10.1117/12.190133

19 October 1994 Particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo simulation of dusty plasmas near spacecraft surfaces

Robert E. Erlandson, N. A. Gatsonis

Proceedings Volume 2261, Optical System Contamination: Effects, Measurements, and Control IV; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.190133
Event: SPIE's 1994 International Symposium on Optics, Imaging, and Instrumentation, 1994, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The electrodynamics of particulate contamination in an ionospheric plasma near spacecraft surfaces is being investigated by a new 2D particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation. Particulate charging in the PIC simulation is treated as a collisional event and is implemented in a Monte Carlo fashion. The simulation has been applied to dusty plasmas both in an unbounded plasma and near a bounded plasma (spacecraft surface). Results from the simulation include estimates of the charge and potential structure of finite-size dust clouds. Low-density dust clouds do not perturb the electric potential of the plasma, similar to the case for isolated particulates. In high-density dust clouds, the potential forms a sheath-like structure while the charge forms a double layer on the outer boundary of the cloud. Particulates can have negative or positive charges depending on the applied surface potential, thus raising the possibility of controlling particulate contamination by controlling the spacecraft potential.

Citation Download Citation

Robert E. Erlandson and N. A. Gatsonis "Particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo simulation of dusty plasmas near spacecraft surfaces", Proc. SPIE 2261, Optical System Contamination: Effects, Measurements, and Control IV, (19 October 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.190133

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available