One-dimensional numerical simulation of ac discharges in a high-pressure mixture of Ne+0. 1% Ar confined to a narrow gap between insulated metal electrodes

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1978 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.325124· OSTI ID:7179535

Sahni, O; Lanza, C; Howard, W E

The present work is concerned with a one-dimensional dynamic simulation, incorporting a self-consistent treatment of space-charge effects, of the buildup and decay of ac discharges in a high- (>100 Torr) pressure mixture of Ne+0.1% Ar confined to a narrow gap (approx.10/sup -2/ cm) between insulator (MgO) covered metal electrodes. Numerical modeling has been done of the dynamics of successive avalanches triggered by the electric-field-dependent secondary emission of electrons at the cathode due to ionic species, metastables, and photons. The basic continuity equations of the problem deal with the following collisional phenomena in the gas volume: (i) electron impact excitation and ionization of neon atoms, (ii) collisional ionization involving excited neon states, (iii) two-body and three-body collisional processes involving energy transfer, and (iv) absorption and reemission of imprisoned resonant radiation. The computed results show a satisfactory agreement with measured parameters on a single cell of a specially constructed ''one-dimensional'' ac plasma panel whose electrode linewidths were made an order of magnitude larger than the gas gap. Neon ions were found to play a dominant role in the secondary electron emission from the MgO surfaces, while photoemission was negligible. The theoretical and experimental results were fitted to yield a value of 0.45 for the intrinsic secondary-emission coefficient of MgO surfaces caused by the arrival of neon ions under vacuum conditions. Finally, sample results are presented for the spatial and temporal profiles of the electric field, charged particle concentrations, and the volume density of various excited species of the host gas.

• Research Organization: IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598
• OSTI ID: 7179535
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 49:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
PLASMA SIMULATION
ARGON
COLLISIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRODES
ELECTRON EMISSION
ENERGY TRANSFER
EXCITATION
EXCITED STATES
IONIZATION
METASTABLE STATES
NEON
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
NONMETALS
RARE GASES
700105* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Plasma Kinetics-Theoretical- (-1987)