Threshold for formation of a stable double layer in an expanding helicon plasma

We report detailed studies of a threshold antenna frequency for the creation of an ion beam due to the formation of a stable electric double layer (DL) in an expanding, low pressure, argon helicon plasma. Mutually consistent measurements of ion beam energy and density obtained with a retarding field energy analyzer and laser-induced-fluorescence indicate that a stable ion beam of approximately 15 eV appears for antenna frequencies above 11.5 MHz. At lower antenna frequencies, for which the rf coupling to the plasma improves, large electrostatic instabilities appear downstream of the expansion region and a well-formed ion beam is not observed. Further studies of the low frequency (∼17.5 kHz) electrostatic fluctuations suggest that they arise from beam-driven, ion acoustic instabilities. We also observe a sharp increase in the upstream density at the same threshold antenna frequency, confirming a theoretical model that predicts an increase in the upstream density due to enhanced ionization resulting from electrons accelerated upstream by the DL.