Role of atom--atom inelastic collisions in two-temperature nonequilibrium plasmas
The contribution of inelastic atom--atom collisions to the production of electrons and excited atoms in two-temperature (with electron temperature T/sub e/, atomic temperature T/sub a/, and atomic density N/sub a/), steady-state, nonequilibrium atomic hydrogen plasma is investigated. The results are valid for plasmas having large amounts of atomic hydrogen as one of the plasma components, so that e--H and H--H inelastic collisions and interaction of these atoms with radiation dominate the production of electrons and excited hydrogen atoms. Densities of electrons and excited atoms are calculated in low-temperature plasma, with T/sub e/ and T/sub a/less than or equal to8000 K and 10/sup 16/ cm/sup -3/ less than or equal toN/sub a/less than or equal to10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/, and with different degrees of the reabsorption of radiation. The results indicate that inelastic atom--atom collisions are important for production of electrons and excited atoms in partially ionized plasmas with medium and high atomic density and temperatures below 8000 K.
- Research Organization:
- Departments of Aerospace Engineering and Physics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-1191
- OSTI ID:
- 6489716
- Journal Information:
- Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 30:7; ISSN PFLDA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
ATOM COLLISIONS
ATOM-ATOM COLLISIONS
COLLISIONS
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ELEMENTS
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITED STATES
HYDROGEN
INELASTIC SCATTERING
NON-EQUILIBRIUM PLASMA
NONMETALS
PLASMA
PLASMA PRODUCTION
SCATTERING
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS