Modeling of inelastic collisions in a multifluid plasma: Excitation and deexcitation

Journal Article · Tue Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 2015 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4931170· OSTI ID:22493785

Cambier, Jean-Luc ^[1]

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1. Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards AFB, California 93524 (United States)

We describe here a model for inelastic collisions for electronic excitation and deexcitation processes in a general, multifluid plasma. The model is derived from kinetic theory, and applicable to any mixture and mass ratio. The principle of detailed balance is strictly enforced, and the model is consistent with all asymptotic limits. The results are verified with direct Monte Carlo calculations, and various numerical tests are conducted for the case of an electron-hydrogen two-fluid system, using a generic, semi-classical model of collision cross sections. We find that in some cases, the contribution of inelastic collisions to the momentum and thermal resistance coefficients is not negligible, in contrast to the assumptions of current multifluid models. This fundamental model is also applied to ionization and recombination processes, the studies on which are currently underway.

• OSTI ID: 22493785
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 22; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ASYMPTOTIC SOLUTIONS
COLLISIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CROSS SECTIONS
CURRENTS
DE-EXCITATION
ELECTRONS
EXCITATION
HYDROGEN
MONTE CARLO METHOD
PLASMA
RECOMBINATION