Solution and Marking Scheme

Theory

III. Plasma Lens

a) Consider cylindrical Gaussian surface of radius r and length A about the
central axis.
From Gauss’s law
1
E 2πrA = (charge inside) (0.5 points)
ε0
1
= − ne(πr 2 A)
ε0
ner
Er = − (0.5 point)
2ε 0
µ nerv
b) From Ampere’s law, Bθ = − 0 (2 points)
2
c) The net Lorentz force is
G  ne 2 r µ ne 2rv 2  ne 2 r  v2 
F =  − 0 rˆ = 1 − 2 rˆ
 2ε 0 2  2ε 0  c 
1
where c = (1 point)
ε 0 µ0

d) Fr → 0 as v → c , this implies the electric force and magnetic force cancel

each other out. (1 point)

e) The stationary plasma particles have v = 0 , hence Fr ′ = ± eEr ′

neR 2 no er ′
where Er ′ = − +
2ε o r′ 2ε o
ne 2 R 2 no e 2 r ′
for positive ion Fr ′ = − +
2ε o r′ 2ε o
ne2 R 2 no e 2 r ′
for electron Fr ′ = −
2ε o r ′ 2ε o
and there is no cancellation from the magnetic force.
As a result the plasma electrons will be blown out, and the ions are pulled in.
(2 points)

f) The net force on the electron beam in plasma medium is given by,
G ne 2 r  v 2  n0 e2 r
F= 1 −  rˆ − rˆ (2 points)
2ε 0  c 2  2ε 0
G n e2r
in the limit v Æ c, F ≈ − 0 rˆ (1 point)
2ε 0