Bounded plasma dynamics from particle simulations; movie script

The behavior in time of a plasma bounded by a plane emitter and cold collector is observed in a movie showing simultaneous plots of electron and ion phase spaces (v/sub x/ vs x), potential phi(x), charge density rho(x) and current density J(t). Using T/sub i//T/sub e/ = 1 at the emitter, m/sub i//m/sub e/ = 40, eight sequences were made for various emission ratios (α = n/sub i/0+/n/sub e/0+ = 0.1, 1.0 and 4.0). With floating bias (open circuit), the plasma has fluctuations which are small compared with average values. With ion rich emission and virtual anode, an electron hole is expected but is found to be filled. With moderate positive bias, violent instabilities are observed in great detail for both electron and ion-rich emission, associated with formation of potential minima, ejecting electrons, then repeating. The new information is the detail, allowing more complete understanding. The script provides the model, the parameters of the movie, and brief descriptions of the sequences. 23 refs., 11 figs., 2 tabs