Simultaneous control of ion flow energy and electron temperature in magnetized plasmas

Ion flow energy along magnetic-field lines is precisely controlled by electrostatic acceleration in magnetized collisional and synthesized plasmas. The source is made up of an ion-production region and a plasma synthesis region; an electron emitter of mesh shape is installed between the regions and supplies the electrons to the synthesis region. The ion flow is generated by an electrostatic potential difference between these regions. Our experimental results demonstrate that only the ion flow energy can be controlled under constant electron density and temperature. Moreover, the electron temperature is also controllable and could be reduced to less than 0.5 eV.