Ionization transition in low-density plasma

Abstract

Ionization equilibrium in low-density low-temperature plasma is considered. It is demonstrated using hydrogen and cesium as examples that the Saha equation predicts an almost jump-like change in the electron density on isochors in a narrow temperature range. Thus, in contrast to a smooth rise in the degree of ionization with increasing temperature at high plasma densities, an increase in the temperature in low-density plasma should result in a sharp transition from a neutral state to a fully ionized plasma. This transition is accompanied by a jump-like increase in the electric conductivity. The relation of these effects to the recombination transition in the model of the early Universe is discussed. The possibility of observing such a transition experimentally and the problems concerning the time of plasma relaxation into an equilibrium state at long free path lengths of plasma particles are considered.