Velocity distribution of plasma electrons in the negative H₂- and He-glow with superimposed longitudinal magnetic field

Abstract

The negative glow plasma has been found nearly field free in axial direction. Therefore plasma electrons in the stationary glow can thermalize down to the temperature of the neutral gas, whenever their diffusion—and recombination—lifetime is high enough. Applying Boltzmann's equation to this problem, the conditions of thermalization of plasma electrons are derived as a function of the outer parameters of the plasma: vessel diameter 2R, neutral gas pressurep and longitudinal magnetic fieldB. — If plasma electrons have a too short diffusion—and recombination—lifetime to be in thermal equilibrium with the neutral gas, the electron energy increases. For this case the distribution function of plasma electrons is derived using Boltzmann's equation. Approximating the calculated energy distribution by a Maxwellian distribution function, the electron temperature in the glow is obtained as a function of the parameters:R, p, B.

OurT _e -measurements carried out in the H₂- and He-glows of different tube diameters, neutral gas pressures and magnetic fields agree closely with the theoretical results. TheT _e -measurements have been performed with Langmuir probes and by the method of reversal of the radial ambipolar electric field in a longitudinal magnetic field.