Abstract
A one-dimensional model is being considered where a fully ionized plasma is separated from a neutral gas by a homogeneous magnetic field directed along the plasma boundary. The plasma and the neutral gas consist of two different types of ions and neutral particles. In a stationary state the outflux of plasma by diffusion across the magnetic field is compensated by an influx of neutrals which are ionized in a partially ionized boundary region.
It is found that the ratio between the ion densities in the fully ionized region will in general differ from the density ratio of the two types of neutrals being present in the gas region. This provides a separation mechanism with applications both to cosmical and laboratory plasmas, such as in the following cases:
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(i)
The abundance anomalies in magnetic variable stars and in the solar wind.
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(ii)
Separation processes of non-identical ions and neutral atoms in gas blanket systems.
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Lehnert, B. Element separation effects in the boundary region of a plasma surrounded by neutral gas. Astrophys Space Sci 40, 225–229 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00651200
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00651200