Approximation of the bounded plasma model by the plasma and the sheath models
- Clark Univ., Worcester, MA (United States)
- Osram Sylvania, Inc., Danvers, MA (United States)
A common approach to study the bounded plasma problem is to model the plasma and the sheath separately. The plasma model assumes that the ion density equals the electron density (quasineutrality). The sheath model assumes that the electron density equals zero. The plasma model is justified in the central part of the plasma, while the sheath model is justified very close to the wall or electrode. This fact raises an important question. Can the solutions of the plasma and sheath models be combined, in order to obtain a realistic approximation of the complete bounded plasma problem? this question is addressed in this presentation. Solutions of the combined plasma and sheath models are compared with the solutions of the hydrodynamic plasma-wall problem, without the quasineutrality assumption, which describes continuously the plasma and the sheath regions. The applicability of the combined approach for the collisionless plasma is analyzed depending on the boundary conditions at the plasma-sheath interface.
- OSTI ID:
- 46193
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940604--; ISBN 0-7803-2006-9
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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