The Child-Langmuir Collisional Laws for the Cathode Sheath of Glow Discharge in Nitrogen

  • Valeriy Lisovskiy V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6339-4516
  • V. Derevyanko V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University
  • Vladimir Yegorenkov V.N. Karaziv Kharkov National University
Keywords: glow discharge, cathode sheath, positive ions, nitrogen, the Child-Langmuir law

Abstract

This communication reports the measurements of dc sheath thickness d together with the voltage drop U across it at different current I values in nitrogen. For the case of a narrow gap when the discharge consists only of a cathode sheath and a negative glow almost all voltage applied across the electrodes drops across the cathode sheath. We observe that at the nitrogen pressure p < 1 Torr, as well as for p > 1.5 Torr the Child-Langmuir collisional law version characterized by the constant ion mobility is valid. Within the pressure range of 1 < p < 1.5 Torr none of Child-Langmuir law versions (with a constant mobility or a constant ion mean free path) are not applicable for the description of the dc cathode sheath in nitrogen. The available references enable us to conclude that at p < 1 Torr the discharge is dominated by N+ ions whereas for p > 1.5 Torr N4+ ions dominate. These ions are not prone to charge exchange with N2 molecules and they move in the dc cathode sheath with constant mobility. Within the pressure range of 1 < p < 1.5 Torr the discharge contains N+, N2+, N3+ and N4+ ions in comparable concentrations therefore none of the Child-Langmuir law versions can be valid.

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Published
2013-06-01
Cited
How to Cite
Lisovskiy, V., Derevyanko, V., & Yegorenkov, V. (2013). The Child-Langmuir Collisional Laws for the Cathode Sheath of Glow Discharge in Nitrogen. East European Journal of Physics, (1059(3), 75-82. Retrieved from https://periodicals.karazin.ua/eejp/article/view/13033
Issue
No. 1059(3) (2013): The Journal of Kharkiv National University, Physical series "Nucleus, Particles, Fields", ISSN 2221-7754
Section
Original Papers

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