MODEL OF A WEAKLY IONIZED, LOW-PRESSURE XENON DC POSITIVE-COLUMN DISCHARGE PLASMA

A model of a weakly ionized, low-pressure positive column discharge is described. Of particular interest is the generation of atomic resonan ce radiation. The model computes species densities as a function of ra dial position using fluid continuity equations, Electron impact collis ion rates are found from the zero-dimensional Boltzmann equation. The appropriate electron impact cross sections, heavy particle collision r ate coefficients, and radiative decay rates for xenon have been assemb led from the literature, and are summarized. Model predictions compare favourably with measured axial electric field values in a xenon posit ive column discharge, while the model is found to overpredict the elec tron temperature at low xenon pressure.