Reflection and excitation of ion-acoustic waves in a multi-component plasma with negative ions

Abstract

Reflection and excitation of ion-acoustic waves by a bipolar potential structure consisting of a grid and a metallic plate have been investigated experimentally in a multi-component plasma with negative ions. Reflection is observed owing to the presence of the negative ions, even if both the grid and the plate are biased negatively with respect to the plasma potential so as to collect positive ions. Reflection coefficients and excitation efficiencies are measured as a function of the bias voltage of the electrodes. The reflection coefficient becomes larger for a negative bias of the grid, and is almost constant for a positive bias of the grid as the partial pressure of SF6 gas is increased.