University of Maryland
Computer & Space Science Building, Room 2400
4:30 PM Monday, 21 November
Coffee, Tea & Cookies 4:00-4:30 PM
Peter H. Yoon
University of Maryland
Self-consistent generation of suprathermal electrons (kappa distribution) by beam-plasma interaction
It was known since the early days of plasma physics research that suprathermal electrons are generated during beam-plasma laboratory experiments. Suprathermal electrons (the κ distribution) are also ubiquitously observed in space. To explain such a feature, various particle acceleration mechanisms have been proposed. However, self-consistent acceleration of electrons in the context of plasma kinetic theory has not been demonstrated to this date. This talk reports such a demonstration. It is shown that the collisionality, defined via the so-called "plasma parameter" plays a pivotal role. It is found that small but moderately finite value of g is necessary for the suprathermal tail to be generated, implying that purely collisionless Vlasov theory cannot produce superthermal population.
Sponsored by: Department of Physics
and the Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland. For information
call John Paquette at (301) 405-6208 or go to the UMD Space Physics group seminar web site.
For free parking please park in lot DD or anywhere on levels 1-2 in lot B (the big parking garage) after 4:00 pm.
Make sure that you park in a spot WITHOUT a parking meter. More parking information is at the seminar website.