A mass-energy balance model for strongly magnetized argon discharges

Abstract

A semiempirical physical model of a strongly magnetized argon discharge is presented. Experimental extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) spectra are analyzed and photon emission is incorporated via the most important ground-state transitions for neutral and ionic species. Other major plasma processes are also included: ionization by electron impact, wall recombination, anomalous cross field diffusion, and charge-exchange. Plasma acceleration in the ambipolar electric field is treated phenomenologically. Specific power/mass flow densities and discharge vessel geometry are factorized into equations. The resultant non-linear system of normalized stiff ordinary differential equations describes the evolution of the temperatures and densities of the plasma components under the quasi-neutrality constraint. The equations are integrated numerically using a new unconditionally stable method. The transport coefficients are deduced from a two-point comparison to experimental data. Results of multiple parametric scans are presented and discussed in detail, with emphasis on plasma acceleration and EUV light production.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2021
Source ID
10.1063/5.0040344

Entities

People

  • Alexander Hyde
  • Oleg Batishchev

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Northeastern University

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics