Boltzmann equation and Monte Carlo analysis of electron-electron interactions on electron distributions in nonthermal cold plasmas
- Centre de Physique Atomique, Laboratoire des Decharges dans les Gaz, Universite Paul Sabatier, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31 062 Toulouse CEDEX (France)
Electron distribution functions in nonthermal cold plasmas generated by classical electrical discharges have been calculated from a powerful Boltzmann equation solution and an original Monte Carlo simulation. In these two methods both classical (i.e., elastic, inelastic, and superelastic) electron-atom (or molecule) collisions and electron-electron interactions are taken into account. The approximations considered to include long-range (electron-electron) and short-range (electron-atom) interactions in the same Monte Carlo algorithm are first validated by comparing with Boltzmann equation results. Then, the influence of electron-electron interactions on electron distribution functions, swarm parameters, and reaction rates under nonthermal cold plasma conditions are analyzed and discussed as a function of reduced electric field [ital E]/[ital N] and ionization degree [ital n][sub [ital e]]/[ital N] for different atomic and molecular gases.
- OSTI ID:
- 6988433
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review A. General Physics; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review A. General Physics; (United States) Vol. 46:12; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
700380* -- Elementary & Classical Processes in Plasmas-- (1992-)
ATOM COLLISIONS
BOLTZMANN EQUATION
CALCULATION METHODS
CLASSICAL MECHANICS
COLD PLASMA
COLLISIONS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRON COLLISIONS
ELECTRON SPECTRA
ELECTRON-ATOM COLLISIONS
ELECTRON-ELECTRON COLLISIONS
EQUATIONS
FUNCTIONS
MECHANICS
MONTE CARLO METHOD
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PLASMA
SPECTRA