Plasma Sheath

This definition page has been automatically generated. You can help ExoDictionary by expanding, updating, or correcting it.

This autostub has not yet had its initial copyediting proof and may contain significant formatting and even factual errors. You can improve Exodictionary by cleaning up the page markup and verifying that the definition is correct and then removing this tag.

This autostub has not yet had its initial categorization proof and may be categorized incorrectly. You can improve Exodictionary by removing inappropriate categories and then removing this tag.

Plasma Sheath

</dt>
1. The boundary layer of charged particles between a plasma and its surrounding walls, electrodes, or other plasmas. </dd>
The sheath is generated by the interaction of the plasma with the boundary material. Current flow may be in only one direction across the sheath (single sheath), in both directions across the sheath (double sheath), or when the plasma is immersed in a magnetic field, it may flow along the sheath surface at right angles to the magnetic field (magnetic current sheath). </dd>
2. An envelope of ionized gas that surrounds a body moving through an atmosphere at hypersonic velocities. </dd>
The plasma sheath affects transmission, reception, and diffraction of radio waves; thus it is important in operational problems of spacecraft. </dd>

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use