Ambipolar diffusion in a nonuniform plasma containing different positive ion components
Abstract
From a straightforward derivation of the particle balance equations for a weakly ionized plasma with several different ion components, it is shown in the general case that the density distribution of the ions cannot be proportional. Some of the special cases where proportionality is possible are discussed in detail. A numerical comparison of the correct and 'proportional' diffusion models for a simple reaction scheme gives significant differences in the ratio of axis density to wall current, the key variable for the interpretation of mass spectroscopy data. Although these results cannot be generalized, they illustrate the importance of describing a multiion plasma by a 'nonproportional' system of particle balance equations.
- Publication:
-
IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science
- Pub Date:
- December 1978
- DOI:
- 10.1109/TPS.1978.4317148
- Bibcode:
- 1978ITPS....6..406W
- Keywords:
-
- Ambipolar Diffusion;
- Cations;
- Ionic Diffusion;
- Nonuniform Plasmas;
- Plasma Diffusion;
- Afterglows;
- Electron Beams;
- Electron Density (Concentration);
- Electron Distribution;
- Steady State;
- Transport Properties;
- Plasma Physics