This article is cited in 2 papers

Gas Discharges, Plasmas

On the structure of the charged near-electrode sheath in a plasma with degenerate electrons

A. E. Dubinov, L. A. Senilov

Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Russian Federal Nuclear Center — All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics", Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod region

Abstract: A nonlinear self-consistent theory of a stationary charged near-electrode sheath in a plasma with a quantum-degenerate electron component is developed. The theory is based on the gasdynamic two-liquid description of the plasma, such that its degenerate component satisfies the equation of state for a cold Fermi gas (in the Thomas–Fermi approximation), while the classical component satisfies the equation of state for an ideal gas (in the isothermal approximation). A generalized Bohm criterion is derived for the existence of a stationary sheath, as well as the criterion of the formation of a double-layer-type structure in the sheath. The theory is illustrated by numerical examples of various structures (of the monolayer and the double-layer type) in the sheath.

Received: 04.06.2009
Accepted: 02.11.2009

 English version: Technical Physics, 2010, 55:6, 799–806

Bibliographic databases:

•