Two-dimensional model of glow discharges for a cylindrical geometry

Abstract

A computer simulation of a dc glow discharge is presented. The simulation consists of a two-dimensional continuum model for electron and ion transport using the local field approximation. The continuity equations of electron and ion are coupled with Poisson’s equation for a given set of boundary conditions. Potential values on insulator are determined by taking surface charges on it into account. Numerical calculations were made for 1 Torr helium glow discharges in a cylindrical discharge vessel with an electrode on each end. The current density Ic ranged from 1 to 40 μ A/cm2. The voltage–current curve has a minimum voltage at about Ic = 4μA/cm2. At higher values of Ic, a typical character of glow discharge was realized; peak ion density in front of the cathode and charge-neutrality region in front of the anode.