A Nonlinear Kinetic Theory for Electron Heating of Plasma Generated with a High Frequency Electromagnetic Field

摘要

The interaction between a plasma and a high frequency alternating electromagnetic field is analyzed relative to controlled nuclear fusion. An infinite cylindrical column of ionized gas is considered. An alternating electric field is applied on its wall, parallel to the cylinder axis, symmetrical, and with a frequency omega/2pi. The collisions determine the energy transfer from the electric field to the electrons of the gas, causing ionization and recombination phenomena, generating a radially nonhomogeneous plasma. A nonlinear kinetic theory is presented which describes the generation of the nonhomogeneous plasma column and its electron heating in an HF discharge. The theory deals not only with conventional ionization and recombination collision effects, but also with energy transfer connected with the electronic temperature variation in the various points of the column and with the temperature difference among electrons, positive ions, and neutral atoms in the plasma.