Eur. Phys. J. D 54, 383-389 (2009)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2009-00091-y

Pre-sheath formation in an oblique magnetic field: fluid model and PIC simulation

¹ Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
² University of Ljubljana, Faculty of electrical engineering, Tržaša 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
³ University of Maribor, Faculty of civil engineering, Smetanova 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Corresponding author: ^a tomaz.gyergyek@fe.uni-lj.si

Received: 12 September 2008
Revised: 6 February 2009
Published online: 19 March 2009

Abstract

We present some results of a one-dimensional fluid model with a floating electrode immersed in plasma with magnetic field applied at an oblique angle. The model equations are integrated numerically in order to find the space profiles of the ion velocities and electrostatic potential for various strenghts and angles of the magnetic field. We assume a collisionless magnetized pre-sheath with isothermal ions. The results are then compared with the spatial profiles obtained by a computer simulation. We use a BIT1 particle-in-cell code. The simulations input parameters are chosen in the way, that they resemble the fluid model as much as possible. Because the results of the simulation are given in the absolute SI units, they have to be normalized correctly. We evaluate the model results and compare them with the computer simulation results. Special attention is brought on formation of the pre-sheath with magnetic field applied at intermediate angles. The results of the simulation are in good qualitative agreement with the model.