Comparison of one-dimensional simulations of magnetically insulated gaps with analytic models

A comparison is made between several one-dimensional (1-D) analytic theories of magnetically insulated gaps and 1-D particle simulations. The electron sheath current flowing in the E x B drift direction is the most model-sensitive parameter. This parameter is significant in experiments where there is a symmetry discontinuity in the electron flow. It is found that the theory of Bergeron is in the best agreement with the simulations