Kinetic theory of the plasma sheath transition in a weakly ionized plasma
Abstract
The boundary layer of a weakly ionized rare gas discharge is treated using kinetic theory. A self-consistent two-scale analysis is performed and the exact presheath and sheath solutions are constructed for the following model: A plasma consisting of Boltzmann distributed electrons and singly charged atomic ions is in contact with a negative absorbing wall. The ion kinetics is dominated by charge exchange with cold neutrals (T0≪T-). The mean-free-path λ is constant and large compared with the electron Debye length λD. This model represents a collision-dominated counterpart to the well known Tonks-Langmuir model of the collision-free plasma.
- Publication:
-
Physics of Fluids
- Pub Date:
- December 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.863332
- Bibcode:
- 1981PhFl...24.2163R
- Keywords:
-
- Boundary Layer Plasmas;
- Electron Plasma;
- Kinetic Theory;
- Plasma Interactions;
- Plasma Jets;
- Plasma Sheaths;
- Boltzmann Distribution;
- Gas Discharges;
- Plasma Potentials;
- Self Consistent Fields;
- Space Charge;
- Plasma Physics