IONIZATION AND RECOMBINATION IN ALKALI -SEEDED COLLISION-DOMINATED PLASMAS
Abstract
At electron densities greater than 10 to the 12th power/ cc, ionization and recombination proceed predominantly by sequential transitions between adjacent energy levels induced by collisions with free electrons. Similar models for this process have been developed by various investigators. This report develops closed-form expressions for ionization and recombination of effective one-electron atoms by modifying the Byron model and determining analytically the critical energy level in equilibrium with the free electrons, using a simplified quantum mechanical model of the alkali atoms. The reaction rate coefficients calculated from these expressions agree satisfactorily with available experimental data and with numerical calculations of other investigators.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0627988
Entities
People
- B. P. Curry
Organizations
- Arnold Engineering Development Complex