Charge separation effects in magnetized electron-ion plasma expansion into a vacuum

Abstract

Charge separation effects in the expansion of magnetized relativistic electron-ion plasmas into a vacuum are examined using 2-1/2-dimensional particle-in-cell plasma simulations. The electrostatic field at the plasma surface decelerates electrons and accelerates ions. A fraction of the surface electrons are trapped and accelerated by the pondermotive force of the propagating electromagnetic pulse, a mechanism we call the DRPA (diamagnetic relativistic pulse accelerator). This charge separation is enhanced as the initial plasma temperature is decreased. The overall energy gain of the plasma particles through the expansion strongly depends on the initial plasma temperature. Moreover, the electrons become relatively less energized and the ions more energized as the plasma temperature decreases.