The Influence of Negative Ion Processes on the Stability of Molecular Gas Discharges.

摘要

Theoretical and experimental studies of negative ion processes and their influence on the stability of weakly ionized glow discharges have been conducted. Emphasis in these investigations has been directed toward analysis of gas mixtures in which negative ions are produced by dissociative electron attachment of CO2,CO,or O2. It is shown that attachment and detachment reactions normally occurring in discharges containing these species can significantly affect both the steady state and transient characteristics of the plasma,even when an external source of ionization is provided. The electron temperature dependence of the electron-molecule attachment coefficient is found to be particularly important in determining the occurrence of ionization instability. (Modified author abstract)