Kinetic resonances and stratification of the positive column of a discharge.

Resonance formation of the electron velocity distribution function (EDF) in an inert gas dc discharge at low pressures and small currents is analyzed on the basis of an accurate numerical solution of the Boltzmann kinetic equation in spatially periodic sinusoidally modulated striation-like fields. Calculations are performed for neon at pressures around 1 Torr . The dependences of the EDF, electron density and mean energy, and excitation rate on the electric field spatial period length are investigated.

Resonance effects in the electron distribution function formation in spatially periodic fields in inert gases.

The calculations of the electron distribution function (EDF) in striationlike, sinusoidally modulated electric fields were performed to determine the dependence on spatial period length. The calculations were done for a discharge in neon at pR=2 Torr cm, i/R=5 mA/cm, and electric field E/p=1.9 V cm(-1) Torr(-1).

Kinetic model of ionization waves in a positive column at intermediate pressures in inert gases.

A kinetic model of ionization waves in the inert gas discharge is constructed, which is based on the simultaneous solution of the kinetic equation for electrons and the continuity equations for ions and excited atoms. The model corresponds to a range of intermediate pressures and small currents, when elastic collisions dominate in the electron energy balance and electron-electron collisions are negligibly small. A linear theory of ionization waves is constructed, growth rates and frequencies of wave disturbances able to propagate in plasma are found.