Effect of negative ions on the characteristics of plasma in a cylindrical discharge
محورهای موضوعی : Journal of Theoretical and Applied PhysicsFarnaz Araghi 1 , Davoud Dorranian 2
1 - Plasma Physics Research Center, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University
2 - Plasma Physics Research Center, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University
کلید واژه: plasma, discharge, Langmuir probe, Electron density, Electron temperature, Electronegative,
چکیده مقاله :
AbstractThe effect of negative ions on the density, temperature, and potential of plasma in a direct current discharge regime has been studied experimentally. Nitrogen as an electronegative gas was used to produce negative ions in the plasma. Langmuir probe was employed to measure plasma parameters. Discharge was performed in an evacuated glass tube, with circular disk electrodes at different pressures. To obtain the spatial variation of plasma characters, measurements were done at different points on the axis of discharge tube. Argon and nitrogen gases were used as the working gas, and plasma current was kept constant at 5 mA during the experiments. Discharge voltage decreased sharply with increasing pressure for both argon and nitrogen plasmas; however, to sustain the discharge at constant current in nitrogen plasma, higher voltage was required in comparison with argon plasma. The plasma electron density was decreased from cathode to anode during the discharge process, while electron temperature was increased. Results confirm that nitrogen plasma contains negative ions, and discharge process is influenced by them noticeably.
