Effects of a generalized presheath source in flowing magnetized plasmas

This paper extends the previous kinetic model [Phys. Rev. A 38, 4721 (1988)] of probing objects in flowing magnetized plasmas by generalizing cross-field transport and adding ionization to the source in the Boltzmann equation along the presheath. Ion sheath current density and ratio (R) of upstream to downstream current are obtained as a function of normalized plasma drift velocity (M), equivalent viscosity ratio (α), ion temperature (Ti∞), and ionization rate (σi). The form R=exp(M/Mc) fits the results very well and the calibration factor (Mc) is obtained. Here Mc decreases as α increases, Ti∞ increases, or σi increases. Comparisons with fluid and kinetic models are presented.