KINETIC-THEORY OF VERY HIGH-FREQUENCY AND HIGH-PRESSURE CONTINUOUS ATOMIC DISCHARGES

We derive the analytical solution of the Boltzmann equation for the st ationary electron distribution function that is reached in a plasma ge nerated on the application of a uniform very high-frequency electric f ield in an atomic gas. The theory includes all excitation transitions: ionization and electronic transitions. The analytic solution is also extended to continuous discharges with low electric field or high pres sure in the gas. Then the electron rate coefficient for excitation of the first state (which is the most significant) is calculated analytic ally. We apply the results to the modelling of very high-frequency cy argon discharges and to high-pressure continuous discharges in argon a nd in sodium. The results are compared with numerical results of Ferre ira and co-workers for argon and of LaVerne for sodium: in both cases we find good agreement between numerical and analytical approaches.