Electron Removal in Argon Afterglows

Abstract

Ambipolar diffusion and recombination occurring in argon after the cut-off of a pulsed microwave discharge have been studied. The electron density and spectroscopic data obtained indicated that ambipolar diffusion is operative at low pressures, supplemented by recombination which is characterized by a relatively low recombination coefficient. At high pressures, electron removal is principally by recombination which is characterized by a relatively high value of recombination coefficient.