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Response of the Electron Kinetics on Spatial Disturbances of the Electric Field in Nonisothermal Plasmas
Author(s) -
Sigeneger F.,
Winkler R.
Publication year - 1996
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.2150360503
Subject(s) - electric field , plasma , electron , atomic physics , physics , boltzmann equation , distribution function , inelastic collision , relaxation (psychology) , ionization , kinetic energy , classical mechanics , ion , quantum mechanics , psychology , social psychology
An efficient method for solving the inhomogeneous electron Boltzmann equation for a weakly ionized collision dominated plasma is represented. As a first application this method is used to investigate in a helium plasma the response of the electron velocity distribution function and of the relevant macroscopic quantities to the impact of spatially limited disturbances in the electric field. In addition to the field action elastic and (conservative) inelastic collisions of electrons with gas atoms are taken into account in the kinetic treatment. In this way the spatial relaxation behaviour of the electrons and their establishment into homogeneous plasma states could be studied on a strict kinetic basis. Unexpectedly large relaxation lengths in electron acceleration direction have been found at medium electric fields.