Computer simulations of a dielectric barrier discharge used for analytical spectrometry.

A model developed for a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in helium, used as a new spectroscopic source in analytical chemistry, is presented in this paper. The model is based on the fluid approach and describes the behavior of electrons, He+ and He+2 ions, He metastable atoms, He atoms in higher excited levels, and He2 dimers. The He ground-state atoms are regarded as background gas.

Particle-in-cell Monte Carlo simulations of an extreme ultraviolet radiation driven plasma.

A self-consistent kinetic particle-in-cell model has been developed to describe a radiation driven plasma. Collisions between charged species and the neutral background are represented statistically by Monte Carlo collisions. The weakly ionized plasma is formed when extreme ultraviolet radiation coming from a pulsed discharge photoionizes a low pressure argon gas.

Numerical investigation of the discharge characteristics of the pulsed discharge nozzle.

The characteristics of the plasma generated by a pulsed discharge slit nozzle (PDN) are investigated. The PDN source is designed to produce and cool molecular ions creating an astrophysically relevant environment in the laboratory. A discharge model is applied to this system to provide a qualitative as well as a quantitative picture of the plasma.