COMPARISON OF COLLISION RATES IN PARTICLE-IN-CELL, MONTE-CARLO, AND BOLTZMANN CODES

Computational modeling is a key tool for studying collisional plasma d ischarges, including capacitive, inductive, and de discharges. This wo rk compares electron-neutral collision rates for a particle-in-cell co de, a Monte Carlo code, a convected scheme Boltzmann code, and a spher ical harmonic expansion Boltzmann code. In addition, comparisons with swarm experiments are presented where available. The comparison is per formed over a range of reduced fields, E/N, appropriate to ac plasma d isplay panels. The background gas is neon, with a simplified set of re presentative reactions. Ion and space charge effects are neglected. (C ) 1996 American Institute of Physics.