Design and fabrication of a magnetic filter source to produce ionospheric-like plasma

Generation of ionospheric-like plasma is important for laboratory investigations of ionospheric physics. In this work, the design and fabrication of a magnetic filter source for the ground simulation of ionospheric-like low density plasma are presented. Four groups of permanent magnets were placed at different regions to form a magnetic filter configuration, and filaments were used to produce the low-density plasmas. Operating with adjustable plasma source conditions can generate plasmas with variable density and energy similar to those of the ionosphere, which were measured using tailor-made plasma diagnostic tools. The results indicate that homogeneous distributed low-density plasmas on the order of 105 cm−3 were produced using the plasma source. In addition, ion and electron energies that are similar to those of the actual ionosphere were also achieved. Based on the plasma source, ionospheric plasma physics can be investigated in a controlled manner in the laboratory. In addition, it can also be extended to the calibration and testing of payloads for ionospheric plasma measurement before launching.