Non-local electron energy probability function in a plasma expanding along a magnetic nozzle

*Correspondence: Rod W. Boswell, Space Plasma, Power and Propulsion Laboratory, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Bldg., 60, Mills Road, ACT 2601 Canberra, ACT, Australia e-mail: [email protected] Electron energy probability functions (eepfs) have been measured along the axis of a low pressure plasma expanding in a magnetic nozzle. The eepf at the maximum magnetic field of the nozzle shows a depleted tail commencing at an energy corresponding to the measured potential drop in the magnetic nozzle. The eepfs measured along the axis demonstrate that the sum of potential and kinetic energies of the electrons is conserved thus confirming the validity of non-local approach to kinetics of the electron dynamics of a low-pressure plasma expanding in a magnetic nozzle.