Study of Plasma Distribution Function in a Paul Trap using Palette Mapped 3D Plots

Abstract

The time evolution of a Gaussian plasma distribution function is plotted for a non neutral, collisions less plasma confined in a Paul trap using spatially linear radio frequency (RF) electric field. The distribution function is characterised by a typical fluctuation on account of a slow frequency known as the secular frequency and the RF frequency. Using palette mapped 3D plots we show that the fluctuations are in general a-periodic and there is a phenomena of beat frequency on account of two incommensurate frequencies. However, for a specific set of Paul trap parameters the distribution function becomes independent of the slow frequency and becomes periodic with the period of the applied RF frequency electric field.