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On the Relaxation of Energetic Electrons in Plasmas
Author(s) -
Braglia M.,
Winkler R.,
Wilhelm J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
contributions to plasma physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.531
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1521-3986
pISSN - 0863-1042
DOI - 10.1002/ctpp.2150310502
Subject(s) - electron , plasma , distribution function , relaxation (psychology) , physics , boltzmann equation , monte carlo method , collision , atomic physics , field (mathematics) , collision frequency , boltzmann constant , computational physics , statistical physics , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics , psychology , social psychology , statistics , mathematics , computer security , computer science , pure mathematics
The impact of individual collision processes on the relaxation of the velocity distribution function of a group of electrons, initially localized in a narrow region at relatively high energies, has been studied. By having recourse to solutions of the non‐stationary Boltzmann equation and to corresponding Monte‐Carlo simulations, the temporal behaviour of electrons in CO 2 plasmas, both in the absence and the presence of an external dc field, has been investigated. A microphysical interpretation of observed relaxation phenomena, based on the data relevant to the individual collision processes, is also given.