Abstract
A quasi-one-dimensional theoretical model of ionization waves
propagating in a shielded capillary discharge is developed for high
values of the electric field to the gas density ratio. The model assumes
a beam-like electron distribution function and takes into account both
radial and axial components of the electric field, and the
experimentally measured cross sections of the ionizing and elastic
electron - atom collisions for argon. Steady-state solutions have been
obtained numerically for cathode directed ionization waves associated
with virtual anode (VA) propagation as well as for anode directed
ionization waves associated with virtual cathode (VC) propagation. The
VA (or VC) is initiated and observed experimentally when both the
cathode (or the anode) and the coaxial shield are under the same
electric potential. The numerical solutions demonstrate that the VA may
propagate with much lower wave velocity than the VC in the same
capillary. This fact agrees with the experimentally observed behavior of
ionization waves in a shielded capillary filled with argon at low
pressures.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Edit American Physical Society, 42nd Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics combined with the 10th International Congress on Plasma Physics October 23 - 27, 2000 Québec City, Canada Meeting ID: DPP00 |
| State | Published - 1 Oct 2000 |