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The Bohm criterion for rf discharges

Journal Article · · Physics of Fluids B; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859649· OSTI ID:5656027
;  [1]
  1. FOM-Instituut voor Plasmafysica Rijnhuizen,'' P.O. Box 1207, 3430 BE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands (NL)

The well-known dc Bohm criterion is extended to rf discharges. Both low- ({omega}{sub rf}{much lt}{omega}{sub {ital pi}}) and high-({omega}{sub {ital pi}} {much lt} {omega}{sub rf}) frequency regimes are considered. For low frequencies, the dc Bohm criterion holds. This criterion states that the initial energy of the ions entering the sheath must exceed a limit in order to obtain a stable sheath. For high frequencies, a modified limit is derived, which is somewhat lower than that of the dc Bohm criterion. The resulting ion current density in a high-frequency sheath is only a few percent lower than that for the dc case.

OSTI ID:
5656027
Journal Information:
Physics of Fluids B; (USA), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids B; (USA) Vol. 3:8; ISSN 0899-8221; ISSN PFBPE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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