Student Excellence Award Finalist: 3D ion and neutral distribution measurements and simulations of the boundary region of a magnetized plasma*

We present the first paired 3D laser induced fluorescence measurements of ion and neutral velocity distribution functions (I/NVDFs) in a plasma boundary. These measurements are performed in the presheath region of an absorbing boundary immersed in a background magnetic field that is obliquely incident to the boundary surface ($\psi = 74^{\circ}$). Parallel and perpendicular flow measurements demonstrate that cross-field flows occur and that ions within several gyro-radii of the surface are accelerated in the $\vec{E} \times \vec{B}$ direction. We present electrostatic probe measurements of electron temperature, plasma density, and electric potential in the same region. Ion, neutral and electron measurements are compared to particle-in-cell and Boltzmann simulations, allowing direct comparison between measured and theoretical distribution functions for all three species.