Kinetic resonances and stratification of the positive column of a discharge.

Resonance formation of the electron velocity distribution function (EDF) in an inert gas dc discharge at low pressures and small currents is analyzed on the basis of an accurate numerical solution of the Boltzmann kinetic equation in spatially periodic sinusoidally modulated striation-like fields. Calculations are performed for neon at pressures around 1 Torr . The dependences of the EDF, electron density and mean energy, and excitation rate on the electric field spatial period length are investigated. In addition to resonances corresponding to S and P striations predicted by linear analytical theory, the kinetic model indicates the presence of a resonance that can be attributed to an R striation. This resonance is more pronounced at lower pressures when R striations are observed experimentally. The influence of inelastic collisions on the EDF formation in the resonance fields is analyzed.

Resonance effects in the electron distribution function formation in spatially periodic fields in inert gases.

The calculations of the electron distribution function (EDF) in striationlike, sinusoidally modulated electric fields were performed to determine the dependence on spatial period length. The calculations were done for a discharge in neon at pR=2 Torr cm, i/R=5 mA/cm, and electric field E/p=1.9 V cm(-1) Torr(-1). The presence of the resonances in the EDF and macroscopic parameters has been demonstrated. These resonances correspond to S and P striations observed in experiments. An interpretation of the results is proposed based on an analytical approximation of the numerical solution. Decomposition of EDF into two factors-amplitude and body-is carried out. The amplitude of the EDF is shown to be resonantly dependent on the value of the spatial period. One maximum in the EDF is formed at the value of the spatial period corresponding to the S striation, and two maxima at the value which corresponds to the P striation. The experimental measurements of the EDF in S and P striations with high spatial resolution showed agreement between the theoretical and the experimental results. Resonance effects in the EDF formation are considered based on the linear theory in the weakly modulated electric fields.

Kinetic model of ionization waves in a positive column at intermediate pressures in inert gases.

A kinetic model of ionization waves in the inert gas discharge is constructed, which is based on the simultaneous solution of the kinetic equation for electrons and the continuity equations for ions and excited atoms. The model corresponds to a range of intermediate pressures and small currents, when elastic collisions dominate in the electron energy balance and electron-electron collisions are negligibly small. A linear theory of ionization waves is constructed, growth rates and frequencies of wave disturbances able to propagate in plasma are found. It is shown that there is an upper bound to the existence of striations by pressure, as well as the lower bound by current. The self-consistent solution of the source system of equations is obtained, which describes a nonlinear wave. The profile of electric field and the electron distribution function in this field are calculated. The results of calculations are compared with the experimental data. The wavelengths obtained are essentially larger than the electron energy relaxation length. Such waves cannot be described within the limits of fluid models.