Skip to main content
Log in

Radial structure of the kinetics and production of electrons in the dc column plasma

  • Published:
Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The detailed radial structure of the electron kinetics in the positive column of cylindrical dc glow discharges is investigated to reveal the microscopic nature of the electron confinement by the radial space charge potential and the spatial dependences of the macroscopic electron quantities. Therefore, in order to determine the radial variation of the isotropic and anisotropic parts of the electron velocity distribution function the relevant inhomogeneous kinetic equation is solved taking into account the radial electric field action. The kinetic description includes the self-consistent calculation of the excited gas atom densities by solving their radially inhomogeneous particle balance equations. This permits one to determine accurately the electron production in the volume which is ollen dominated by ionization of excited atoms. Besides the main aspects of the numerical approach, results for a neon and krypton glow discharge are presented. The discussion includes a detailed analysis of the local electron energy balance equation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. L. D. Tsendin,Plasma Sources Science and Technology,4, 200–211 (1995) (XXII ESCAMPIG 1994).

    Google Scholar 

  2. P. Ségur et al.,Plasma Sources Science and Technology,4, 183–199 (1995) (XXII ESCAMPIG 1994).

    Google Scholar 

  3. D. Herrmann, A. Rutscher, and S. Pfau,Beitr. Plasmaphys. 10, 75–84 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  4. S. Pfau and R. Winkler,Beitr. Plasmaphys. 20, 343–368 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  5. S. Pfau and A. Rutscher,Ann. Phys. Leipzig 22, 166 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  6. K. Rohlena and H. R. Skullerud,Phys. Rev. E 51, 6028–6035 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  7. I. B. Bernstein and T. Holstein,Phys. Rev. 94, 1475–1482 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  8. L. D. Tsendin,Sov. Phys. JETP 39, 805–810 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  9. U. Kortshagen,Plasma Sources Science and Technology,4, 172–182 (1995) (XXII ESCAMPIG 1994).

    Google Scholar 

  10. U. Kortshagen,Phys. Rev. E 49, 4369–4379 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  11. G. J. Parker, W. N. G. Hitchon, and J. E. Lawler,Phys. Rev. E 50, 3210–3219 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  12. M. J. Hartig and M. J. Kushner,J. Appl. Phys. 73, 1080–1090 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  13. C. Busch and U. Kortshagen,Phys. Rev. E51, 280–287 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  14. D. Uhrlandt and R. Winkler,J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 29, 115–120 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  15. J. Wilhelm and R. Winkler,Beitr. Plasnraphys. 8, 167–188 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  16. L. W. G. Steenhuijsen,Beitr. Plasmaphys. 21, 301–328 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  17. N. B. Kolokolov, A. A. Kudrjavtsev, and A. B. Blagoev,Phys. Scr. 50, 371–402 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  18. A. V. Phelps,Phys. Rev. 114, 1011–1025 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  19. S. Pfau and J. Rohmann, private communication, Physics Department, Greifswald University, Germany.

  20. A. Metze, D. W. Ernie, and H. J. Oskam,Phys. Rev. A 39, 4117–4124 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Uhrlandt, D., Winkler, R. Radial structure of the kinetics and production of electrons in the dc column plasma. Plasma Chem Plasma Process 16, 517–545 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01447007

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01447007

Key words

Navigation