Simulating plasma microwave diagnostics (Q2433920)

The paper presents computational simulations of plasma diagnostics via microwave absorption, where the number density of the charge particles and its collision frequency with the neutral particles are measured basing on the microwave attenuation phenomenon. The governing equations are based on the three-dimensional Maxwell equations in the time domain complemented by the generalized Ohm's law describing the rate of change for the electrical charge density in terms of the average collision frequency between electrons and heavy particles. For the boundary conditions on the media interface, the discontinuity of the tangential components of the magnetic field strength equals the surface current density while the surface charge density balances the difference between the normal components of the electrical displacement. The far-field boundary condition is implemented by setting the incoming flux vector component to a null value. Numerical results are obtained for a range of plasma transport properties including electrical conductivity, permittivity, and plasma frequency. They reveal substantial distortion of the electromagnetic field within a thin plasma sheet from a guided microwave and predict the microwave blackout phenomenon as the wave propagates through a thick plasma sheet. The diffraction and refraction occurring at antenna apertures and passing through a plasma column are captured as well.