Understanding the Vacuum Debye Screening Length: Importance and Calculation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of the vacuum Debye screening length, highlighting its theoretical implications and practical applications. Participants clarify that the Debye screening length is inherently linked to the presence of charges, such as in plasma, and cannot be defined in a true vacuum. The conversation also addresses the specific problem of calculating the electrostatic potential of a dielectric spherical cavity with a point charge inside, emphasizing the need to consider the appropriate Debye length based on the surrounding medium, whether it be air or vacuum.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Debye screening length in plasma physics
  • Familiarity with electrostatics and potential theory
  • Knowledge of dielectric materials and their properties
  • Basic concepts of charge distribution in spherical geometries
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical derivation of Debye screening length in plasma physics
  • Study the electrostatic potential equations for dielectric materials
  • Explore the implications of boundary conditions in electrostatics
  • Investigate the differences between vacuum and air in electrostatic calculations
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Physicists, electrical engineers, and students studying plasma physics or electrostatics who seek to deepen their understanding of screening effects in various media.

eftrsd
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What is the correct value for the vacuum Debye screening length?
 
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eftrsd said:
What is the correct value for the vacuum Debye screening length?

Can you cite a reference for the existence of "vacuum Debye screening length"?

This term makes no sense, because, by definition, the screening length is caused by the presence of other charges (such as a plasma), meaning it is NOT a vacuum. One may consider the plasma to be in a vacuum background for calculation purposes, but this is far from being a vacuum.

Zz.
 
Thanks Zz for replying. I should have said "air vacuum" which is not the absolute vacuum, of course.
My question is in fact related to a specific problem: The electrostatic potential of a dielectric spherical cavity due to point charge located within it. There are two solutions: one is for Debye length= 0 and one for otherwise. If the cavity is embedded in air\vacuum.. which solution should one consider?
eftrsd.
 

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