Solutions to Chen’s Plasma Physics

1-1. Compute the density (in units of m−3 ) of an ideal gas under the following condi-
tions:
a) At 0o C and 760 Torr pressure (1 Torr = 1mm Hg). This is called the Loschmidt
number.
b) In a vacuum at 10−3 Torr at room temperature (20o C). This number is a useful one
for the experimentalist to know by heart (10−3 Torr = 1 micron).
a) Avogadro’s number is NA = 6.022 × 1023 . One mole of gas at STP occupies 22.4 liters. 1 liter is
1 × 10−3 cubic meters. Thus, the number per cubic meter is NA /n = 6.022 × 1023 /(22.4 × 10−3 ) =
2.66 × 1025 m−3 . Thus, the Loschmidt number is 2.66 × 1025 2
b) Using PV=NkT, we obtain (with R= 1.4 × 10−23 J K −1 and 1 Torr = 133 Pa):

N P 10−3 × 133
n= = = = 3.3 × 1019 m−3 2 (1)
V kT 1.4 × 10−23 × (20 + 273)
1-2. Derive the constant A for a normalized one-dimensional Maxwellian distribution
2
fˆ(u) = Ae−mu /2kT (2)

such that Z ∞
fˆ(u)du = 1 (3)
−∞
This one is straightforward. Just integrate:
s
Z ∞ r
−mu2 /2kT 2πkT m
1= Ae du = A ⇒ A= 2 (4)
−∞ m 2πkT

1-4. Compute the pressure, in atmospheres and in tons/f t2 , exerted by a thermonuclear

plasma on its container. Assume kTe = kTi = 20keV , n = 1021 m−3 and p = nkT , where
T = Ti + Te .
This is just unit conversion, albeit with units that nobody really ever remembers. For reference,
1 keV = 1.6 × 10−19 J, so

p = 1021 × (20keV + 20keV ) = 4 × 1022 m−3 keV = 4 × 103 m−3 J = 4 × 103 N/m2 (5)

But 1 atm = 105 N/m2 = 1 ton/f t2 , so (Note: I think there is a mistake in Chen’s solutions here.
If I am mistaken, please let me know).

p = 0.04 atm = 0.04 ton/f t2 2 (6)

1-5. In a strictly steady state situation, both the ions and the electrons will follow the
Boltzmann relation
nj = n0 e−qj φ/kTj (7)
For the case of an infinite, transparent grid charged to a potential φ, show that the
shielding distance is given approximately by

ne2 1 1
λ−2
D = ( + ) (8)
0 kTe kTi
Show that λD is determined by the temperature of the colder species.
We’ll use Poisson’s equation

ene − eni en0 eφ/kTe en0 eφ −eφ e2 n φ φ

∇2 φ = = (e − e−eφ/kTi ) ≈ (1 + −1− )= ( + ) (9)
0 0 0 kTe kTi 0 kTe kTi
Now we’ll suppose the φ goes like a decreasing exponential: φ = φ0 exp(−x/λD ). Thus, the Lapla-
cian acting on this is

1 ne2 φ φ 1 ne2 1 1
∇2 φ = 2 φ = ( + ) ⇒ 2 = ( + ) 2 (10)
λD 0 kTe kTi λD 0 kTe kTi

To show that λD is determined by the colder species, we suppose first that the electrons are the
colder species: Te  Ti . Then,
s
1 ne2 kTe 0
= ⇒ λD = 2 (11)
λ2D kTe 0 ne2

Alternatively, if the ions are colder, Ti  Te , then a similar analysis yields:

s
1 ne2 kTi 0
= ⇒ λD = 2 (12)
λ2D kTi 0 ne2

1-6. An alternative derivation of λD will give further insight to its meaning. Consider
two infinite, parallel plates at x = ±d, set at potential φ = 0. The space between them
is uniformly filled by a gas of density n of particles of charge q.
a) Using Poisson’s equation, show that the potential distribution between the plates
is
nq 2
φ= (d − x2 ) (13)
20
b) Show that for d > λD , the energy needed to transport a particle from a plate to the
mid plane is greater than the average kinetic energy of the particles.

1-9. A distant galaxy contains a cloud of protons and antiprotons, each with density
n = 106 m−3 and temperature T = 100o K. What is the Debye length?
The Debye length is given by
X 0 kTj
λD = (14)
j
nj e2j

Plugging in the numbers:

8.85 × 10−12 × 1.4 × 10−23 × 100

λD = = 0.48 m 2 (15)
106 × (1.6 × 10−19 )2

As a check, use the SI unit form for the Debye length given in Chen. If T is in Kelvin, and n is in
cubic meters, then: s s
T 102
λD = 69 m = 69 × m = 69 × 10−2 m 2 (16)
n 106
This is the same order of magnitude so we are ok.

1-10. A spherical conductor of radius a is immersed in a plasma and charged to a

potential φ0 . The electrons remain Maxwellian and move to form a Debye shield, but
the ions are stationary during the time frame of the experiment. Assuming φ0  kTe /e,
derive an expression for the potential as a function of r in terms of a, φ0 , and λD . (Hint:
Assume a solution of the form e−br /r.)
Let’s assume a solution of this form: φ = Ae−br /r. Then,

1 ∂ 2 ∂φ e
∇2 φ = 2
(r ) = b2 φ = (ne − ni ) (17)
r ∂r ∂r 0
Since the electrons are Maxwellian, they obey ne = n0 eeφ/kTe ≈ n0 (1 + eφ/kTe ). The ions, however,
are stationary, so ni = n0 . Thus we have:

e eφ n0 e 2 φ φ 1
b2 φ = (n0 + n0 − n0 ) = ≡ 2 ⇒ b= (18)
0 kTe 0 kTe λD λD

Thus, so far we have:

e−r/λD
φ=A (19)
r
But we also need to match the boundary condition that φ(a) = φ0 . So,

e−a/λD
φ0 = A ⇒ A = aφ0 ea/λD (20)
a
So, finally we have our answer:
e−r/λD
2
φ(r) = φ0 ea/λD a (21)
r
You know what they say: if it satisfies Poisson’s equation and the boundary conditions then it
must be the answer.

2-3. An ion engine (see Fig. 106) has a 1-T magnetic field, and a hydrogen plasma
is to be shot out at an E × B velocity of 1000 km/s. How much internal electric field
must be present in the plasma?
The E × B velocity is given by
E×B
v= (22)
B2
Plugging in the numbers:

|E|
106 m/s = ⇒ |E| = 1000 V /m 2 (23)
1T

2-4. Show that vE is the same for two ions of equal mass and charge but different
energies, by using the following physical picture (see Fig. 2-2). Approximate the right
half of the orbit by a semicircle corresponding to the ion energy after acceleration
by the E field, and the left half by a semicircle corresponding to the energy after
deceleration. You may assume that E is weak, so that the fractional change in v⊥ is
small.
If the energy of the right part of the orbit is E1 and the energy of the left part of the orbit is E2 ,
then we have
E1 = E0 + eEr1 , E2 = E0 − eEr2 (24)
p
where E0 is the initial energy and E is the electric field. The velocity is determined by v = 2E/m,
so s s
2E0 + 2eEr1 2E0 − eEr2
v1 = v2 = (25)
m m
The Larmor radius is determined via r = mv⊥ /qB, so
s s √ s
m 2E0 eEr1,2 2mE0 eEr1,2 2E0 1 Er1,2
r1,2 = 1± = (1 ± )= ± √ (26)
qB m E0 qB 2E0 m ωc 2 mE0 ωc

Thus, s s s
m E 1 2E0 eE 2E0
r1,2 (1 ∓ )= (1 ± ) (27)
2E0 qB ωc m 2E0 ωc m
The guiding center moves a distance r1 − r2 :
s s
eE 2E0 1 2E0 2eE
r1 − r2 = = (28)
E0 ωc m ωc m mωc2
The velocity of the guiding center is
r1 − r2 ωc 4eE 2eE 2E E
vgc = 2 = 2 (r1 − r2 ) = = = ≈ 2 (29)
T 2π 2πmωc πmωc πB B
since ωc = eB/m. This is a pretty good approximation.

2-5. Suppose electrons obey the Boltzmann relation of Problem 1-5 in a cylindri-
cally symmetric plasma column in which n(r) varies with a scale length λ; that is
∂n/∂r = −n/λ.
a) Using E = −∇φ, find the radial electric field for a given λ.
b) For electrons, show that the finite Larmor radius effects are large if vE is as large
as vth . Specifically, show that rL = 2λ if vE = vth .
c) Is (b) also true for ions?
Hint: Do not use Poisson’s equation.
a) We simply solve for φ from the Boltzmann relation for electrons.
kTe n
n = n0 eeφ/kTe ⇒ φ= ln( ) (30)
e n0
Therefore,
∂φ kTe n0 1 ∂n kTe
E = −∇φ = − r̂ = − r̂ = r̂ 2 (31)
∂r e n n0 ∂r eλ
b) We start with the definitions of vE , vth , and rL :
s
E 2kTe mv⊥
vE = , vth = , rL = (32)
B m eB
So, calculating the magnitude of vE :

kTe 2
mvth 1 rL vth
vE = = = (33)
eλB 2 eλB 2λ
where in the last step I have assumed that the perpendicular velocity is the thermal velocity. Now,
setting vE = vth , it is easy to see that
rL = 2λ 2 (34)
c) Sure, why not?

2-6. Suppose that a so-called Q-machine has a uniform field of 0.2 T and a cylindrical
plasma with kTe = kTi = 0.2 eV . The density profile is found experimentally to be of
the form
n = n0 exp[exp(−r2 /a2 ) − 1] (35)
Assume the density obeys the electron Boltzmann relation n = n0 exp(eφ/kTe ).
a) Calculate the maximum vE if a = 1 cm.
b) Compare this with vE due to the earth’s gravitational field.
c) To what value can B be lowered before the ions of potassium (A = 39, Z = 1) have
a Larmor radius equal to a?
We solve for φ:
kTe −r2 /a2
n0 exp[exp(−r2 /a2 ) − 1] = n0 exp(eφ/kTe ) ⇒ φ= (e − 1) (36)
e
Thus, the electric field is
∂φ kTe 2r −r2 /a2
E=− r̂ = e r̂ (37)
∂r e a2
and so vE (and it’s maximum) is

E 2rkTe −r2 /a2

vE = = e (38)
B ea2 B
s
∂vE 2kTe 2 2 4r2 kTe −r2 /a2 a2
= 2 e−r /a − e =0 ⇒ r= 2 (39)
∂r ea B ea4 B 2
So, with a = 1 cm,
s
a2 −1/2 

2kTe
vE,max = 2 e ≈ 8.5 km/sec 2 (40)
ea B 2 
a=1 cm,B=0.2 T,kTe =0.2 keV

b) If we assume these are potassium ions, we have mg = 39 × 1.6 × 10−27 × 9.8 = 6.4 × 10−25 N .
Meanwhile, if we plug in the numbers above into the expression for the electric field (equation 37),
we’ll get that E = 17 V /m. Thus, the force due to the electric field is eE = 1.6 × 10−19 × 17 =
2.8 × 10−18 N . Thus the gravitational drift is

Fg 6.4 × 10−25
= ≈ 1.5 × 10−7 (41)
FE 2.8 × 10−18
times smaller. 2
c) The Larmor radius is rL = mvth /qB, so, in terms of the constants of vth , we have (setting
rL = a): s s
m 2kTe 2mkTe
rL = =a ⇒ B= (42)
qB m q 2 a2
Plugging in the numbers:
s
2 × 39 × 1.6 × 10−27 × 0.2 × 1.6 × 10−19
B= = 4 × 10−2 T 2 (43)
(17 × 1.6 × 10−19 )2 × (0.1 × 10−2 )2