Double layer in a cylindrical hollow-cathode discharge

Journal Article · Mon Mar 15 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Plasma Physics Reports

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063780X10030098· OSTI ID:21443586

Abu-Hashem, A; Hassouba, M A ^[1]; Masoud, M M ^[2]

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1. Benha University (Egypt)
2. Atomic Energy Authority, Nuclear Research Center (Egypt)

A dc cylindrical coaxial glow discharge with an inner grid anode has been studied. The region between the two electrodes is seen dark, while a brightly glowing region forms inside the grid anode up to the center. The current-voltage characteristic of a dc cylindrical glow discharge in nitrogen is similar to that of a normal glow discharge, while the normal glow discharge voltage decreases with increasing pressure. The minimum plasma potentials are observed in the hollow cathode region due to the accumulation of electrons at the back of the grid anode. At the center, some of the passed electrons are converged, so their potential is decreased. These electrons have a sufficient time to be redistributed to form one group with a Maxwellian electron energy distribution function. The electron temperature measured by electric probes varies from 1.6 to 3.6 eV, while the plasma density varies from 3.9 x 10{sup 16} to 7 x 10{sup 13} m{sup -3}, depending on the discharge current and probe position. The plasma density increases as the electrons move radially from the grid toward the central region, while their temperature decreases.

• OSTI ID: 21443586
• Journal Information: Plasma Physics Reports, Journal Name: Plasma Physics Reports Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 36; ISSN PPHREM; ISSN 1063-780X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ANODES
CATHODES
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRIC PROBES
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRODES
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SPECTRA
FERMIONS
GLOW DISCHARGES
GRIDS
HOLLOW CATHODES
LEPTONS
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA POTENTIAL
PROBES
SPECTRA