1D kinetic simulations of a short glow discharge in helium

Abstract

This paper presents a 1D model of a direct current glow discharge based on the solution of the kinetic Boltzmann equation in the two-term approximation. The model takes into account electron-electron coulomb collisions, the corresponding collision integral is written in both detailed and simplified forms. The Boltzmann equation for electrons is coupled with continuity equations for ions and metastable atoms and the Poisson equation for electric potential. Simulations are carried out self-consistently for the whole length of discharge in helium (from cathode to anode) for cases p = 1 Torr, L = 3.6 cm and p = 20 Torr, L = 1.8 mm, so that pL = 3.6 cm·Torr in both cases. It is shown that simulations based on the kinetic approach give lower values of electron temperature in plasma than fluid simulations. Peaks in spatial differential flux corresponding to the electrons originating from superelastic collisions and Penning ionization were observed in simulations. Different approaches of taking coulomb collisions into account give significantly different values of electron density and electron temperature in plasma. Analysis showed that using a simplified approach gives a non-zero contribution to the electron energy balance, which is comparable to energy losses on elastic and inelastic collisions and leads to significant errors and thus is not recommended.

Vortex electron flux and EDF nonlocality of moderate and high-pressure gas discharge plasmas

“…The radial potential profile (and, accordingly, the ambipolar field) was found from Poisson's equation. The stable state was obtained by solving time-dependent equations using the same method as that in [16].…”

“…The kinetic equation (10) )| }, the conditions of symmetry (the normal component of the phase flux (Φ r , Γ ε ) vanishes at the boundary) were taken. For a more detailed discussion of the boundary conditions for a similar model, see [16]. For heavy particles, the standard diffusion-drift model boundary conditions (see, for example, [17]) were taken.…”

An alternative simulation approach for surface flashover in a vacuum using a 1D2V continuum and kinetic model

“…Though never applied in surface flashover simulation, the continuum and kinetic simulation approach have been shown to be a supplementary solution for the PIC model for a range of plasma conditions, and features some advantages if applied appropriately. The fact that kinetic simulation speed is not sensitive to particle number, and its noise-free data enables its implementation in a variety of industrial plasma simulations, such as plasma-surface interactions [43], plasma transport [44], capacitively coupled plasma [45,46], multipactor [47], glow discharge [48], and in addition, to fusion plasma as well as astrophysical plasma simulations [49][50][51][52]. In the present work, we propose for the first time to apply a one dimension in space, two dimensions in velocity (1D2V) continuum and kinetic simulation in surface flashover modeling to add more insights into improved flashover modeling technics.…”

Simulation of the spatio-temporal evolution of the electron energy distribution function in a pulsed hollow-cathode discharge

“…Analysis of the spatio-temporal kinetic evolution of electrons in a nanosecond pulse plasma discharge in noble gases is of considerable current scientific and practical interest [1][2][3][4]. Since the properties of plasma as a whole are largely determined by the electrons, the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) constitutes one of the most important characteristics of nonequilibrium gas-discharge plasma [5].…”