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PIC code modeling of spacecraft charging potential during electron beam injection into a background of neutral gas and plasma, part 1Injections of nonrelativistic electron beams from an isolated equipotential conductor into a uniform background of plasma and neutral gas were simulated using a 2-D electrostatic particle code. The ionization effects on spacecraft charging are examined by including interactions of electrons with neutral gas. The simulations show that the conductor charging potential decreases with increasing neutral background density due to the production of secondary electrons near the conductor surface. In the spacecraft wake, the background electrons accelerated towards the charged spacecraft produce an enhancement of secondary electrons and ions. Simulations run for longer times indicate that the spacecraft potential is further reduced and short wavelength beam-plasma oscillations appear. The results are applied to explain the spacecraft charging potential measured during the SEPAC experiments from Spacelab 1.
Document ID
19900012476
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Koga, J. K.
(Southwest Research Inst. San Antonio, TX., United States)
Lin, C. S.
(Southwest Research Inst. San Antonio, TX., United States)
Winglee, R. M.
(Colorado Univ. Boulder., United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-186602
NAS 1.26:186602
Accession Number
90N21792
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1231
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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