Electron energy distribution of glow-like discharge in nitrogen at very high E/n conditions

Abstract

Simulation of charged particles using the Monte Carlo method was carried out to facilitate an understanding of the electron multiplication process of steady state glow-like discharge in nitrogen gas at very high E/n conditions. In the calculation of the steady state discharge, a field distribution at the initial stage was assumed. Under the assumed field distribution, the motion of charged particles was calculated. According to the results obtained from Poisson's equation, the field distribution primarily assumed was modified. Finally the self-consistent field distribution was determined and from this energy distributions and number density distributions of electrons and ions were evaluated. From these results, remarkable points of note about the steady state discharge in nitrogen at high E/n are summarized and the possibility of electron multiplication processes under the high E/n condition are discussed.