Wang Zheng-Xiong

Sheath Structure of an Electronegative Plasma

We investigate the sheath structure of an electronegative plasma at steady state with the assumptions of cold positive ions and hot negative ions. The modified Bohm criterion is obtained with the Sagdeev potential by introducing a modified ion sound velocity. At the same time the electric potential, net space charge and particles densities in the sheath are analysed in several cases of different temperature ratios of electrons to negative ions and different density ratios of negative ions to positive ions.

Electronegative Plasma Sheath Structure in a Magnetic Field

The structure of an electronegative plasma sheath in an oblique magnetic field is investigated with a fluid model. We assume the system consists of hot electrons and negative ions as well as cold positive ions. Densities of particles and distributions of the spacious potential in various states of magnetic field are studied. The result shows that the existence of magnetic field and negative ions has great effects on the plasma sheath structures. In addition, the effects of negative ion density and temperature on the structure of the electronegative plasma sheath are discussed.

Dust Charging in the Sheath of an Electronegative Plasma

We theoretically investigate the dust charging in the sheath of an electronegative plasma, by using a single dust grain model based on a previous sheath structure [Chin. Phys. Lett 20 (2003) 1537] in which cold positive ions and hot negative ions have been assumed. It is found that dust grains are first charged negatively at the sheath edge and then begin to be charged positively in the sheath. Moreover, both the temperature ratio of electrons to negative ions and the density ratio of negative ions to positive ions have effects on the neutral point of the dust charge.

Numerical Simulation of Dust Void Evolution in Complex Plasmas with Ionization Effect

We develop the nonlinear theory of dust voids [Phys. Rev. Lett. 90 (2003) 075001], focusing particularly on effects of the ionization, to investigate numerically the void evolution under cylindrical coordinates [Phys. Plasmas 13 (2006) 064502]. The ion velocity profile is solved by a more accurate ion motion equation with the ion convection and ionization terms. It is shown that the differences between the previous result and the one obtained with ionizations are significant for the distributions of the ion and dust velocities, the dust density, and etc., in the void formation process. Furthermore, the ionization can slow down the void formation process effectively.

Effects of m=0 Harmonics on Quasi-Linear Stage of m=1 Double Tearing Mode

Effects of the m = 0 harmonics on the early quasi-linear stage of m = 1 double tearing modes are investigated. The numerical calculation with the harmonics m = 0 included shows that the effect of the m = 0 harmonics on the mode is negligible in the linear stage. As the mode begins to grow nonlinearly, both the current and flow profiles are pinched due to the m = 0 harmonics. To make a comparison we also carry out the calculation with m = 0 harmonics turned off. The profiles of the total current, poloidal magnetic field, and poloidal shear velocity in the cases with or without the m = 0 harmonics are compared and discussed. In addition, the formation of a poloidal velocity shear is found and its mechanism is investigated.

Sheath Structures of Strongly Electronegative Plasmas

The sheath structures of strongly electronegative plasmas are investigated on basis of the accurate Bohm criterion obtained by Sagdeev potential. It is found that the presheath transition between the bulk plasma and the sheath almost does not exist there, and that distributions of electrons, negative and positive ions in the sheath form a pure positive ion sheath near the boundary of the electrode. Furthermore, the density distribution of space net charge has a peak near the sheath edge, the spatial potential within the sheath falls faster, and the sheath thickness becomes thinner.

On the Transition Regime of Nonlinear Error Field Penetration in Toroidal Plasmas

The error field penetration is numerically studied in the frame of the visco-resistive magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model. A transition scaling is obtained to link the Rutherford and Waelbroeck regimes in the nonlinear phase of error field penetration process. Furthermore, a transition density scaling of [br/BT]crit ~ ne½ is obtained in accord with recent experimental observations in the J-TEXT tokamak.

Effect of Thermionic Emission on Dust-Acoustic Solitons in a Dust-Electron Plasma

The effects of thermionic emission on dust-acoustic solitons with a very small but finite amplitude in a dust–electron plasma are studied using the reductive perturbation technique. The self-consistent variation of dust charge is taken into account. It is shown that the thermionic emission could significantly increase the dust positive charge. The dependences of the phase velocity, amplitude, and width of such solitons on the dust temperature and the dust work function of dust material are plotted and discussed.

Configuration of 2D Finite Clusters in Plasma Sheath

Finite clusters with a small number of charged particles immersed in a plasma environment have been numerically simulated with a dynamic method. Finite Coulomb clusters are systems of a small number of charged particles, N = 1 to 100, confined by a potential produced by plasma 2D-sheath. Under the action of net force each particle is in an equilibrium position and together they form finite Coulomb clusters. The results of our study show the configuration of Coulomb clusters do not depend on their initial state. After theoretically studied and tested by using the Monte Carlo technique we also prove the system energy is the determinant parameter of the configuration. In addition, the effect of the external magnetic field on the cluster configuration is analyzed.

Dust Charging in Electronegative SiH 4 Plasmas

We theoretically investigate the dust charging in electronegative silane (SiH4) plasmas, taking into account the effects of UV photodetachment. It is found that UV photodetachment could significantly lower the dust negative charge and even makes dust grains be positively charged under some special conditions. In addition, the other parameters, involving the negative ion and dust number densities, electron temperature and dust radius, have great effects upon the dust charging.