Abstract
A one-dimensional drift model of the cathode region of a glow discharge with allowance for both electron-impact ionization and charged particle loss is proposed. An exact solution to the model equations is obtained for the case of similar power-law dependences of the ion and electron drift velocities on the electric field strength. It is shown that, even in the drift approximation, a relatively wide transition layer in which the ion-to-electron current ratio approaches a constant value typical of the positive column of a glow discharge should occur between the thin space-charge sheath and the quasineutral plasma, the voltage drop across the space-charge sheath being comparable to that across the transition layer. The calculated parameters of the normal and anomalous glow discharges are in good agreement with available experimental data.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 949-959 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Plasma Physics Reports |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2006 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)