Decay of a low-pressure oxygen magnetized and unmagnetized plasma

Abstract

Extraction of negative ions from electronegative plasmas is one of the key issues addressed during the study of these plasmas. One of the widely used methods is the turn off of the electron heating power. This results in the escape of electrons from the plasma and results in the formation of almost pure ion-ion plasma. In the latter case, the plasma sheath collapses, which enables the extraction of negative ions from the plasma. Another method is the application of a large magnetic field to the plasma. If the electrons become magnetized and trapped near the center of discharge chamber, the plasma sheaths near the walls collapse. This also enables the negative ion extraction from the plasma even during the power-on stage. The aim of the present paper is the comparison of these two methods.