| Author(s): |
MVVS. Rao; Richard J. Van Brunt; James K. Olthoff; |
| Title: |
Kinetic-energy Distributions of Positive and Negative Ions in Townsend Discharges in Oxygen |
| Published: |
April 01, 1999 |
| Abstract: |
Translational flux-energy distributions of positive and negative ions have been measured at high electric field-to-gas density ratios (E/N) up to 40 x 10-18 V m2 (40 kTd) in diffuse, parallel-plate Townsend discharges in oxygen using an ion energy analyzer-mass spectrometer. The O2+ ion is the most abundant ion detected in the discharge, and exhibits Maxwellian energy distributions for E/N < 20 x 10 -18 V m2, which is consistent with predictions based upon the assumption that resonant symmetric charge exchange is the dominant ion-molecule collision process. The less abundant ions, O+, O2-, and O-, exhibit non-Mawellian ion kinetic energy distributions at nearly all E/N, indicative of multiple ion-molecule reactions affecting the ion transport. Mean energies are obtained for each ion as a function of E/N from analysis of the energy distributions, and symmetric charge-exchange cross sections are calculated from the data where appropriate. |
| Citation: |
Physical Review E (Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics) |
| Volume: |
59 |
| Issue: |
4 |
| Pages: |
pp. 4565 - 4572 |
| Keywords: |
;cross-sections;ion-molecule reactions;kinetic-energy distributions;O2;oxygen;Townsend discharge; |
| Research Areas: |
Electronics & Telecommunications |
| PDF version: |
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