Detailed comparison between probe density measurements of glow discharge in argon and in helium

In this article we shall look a bit more closely at some of the fundamental plasma parameters obtained by a cylindrical Langmuir probe within low-pressure electrical gas discharge plasma. The presented measurements were made in argon and in helium glow discharge plasmas. We are mainly concerned with the densities of the charged particles (electrons and ions) within the plasma and the effect of the discharge conditions upon them. The electron density is calculated from the electron current at the space potential and from the integration over the EEDF. The ion density is calculated by using the OML collisionless theory. The parameterization of Laframboise's numerical results is also used for the ion density calculation. In the range of our experimental conditions the results of plasma density, for both gases, tend to show that the ion densities measured with the OML and Laframboise theories exceeds the measured electron densities. The results also show that the plasma electron and ion densities increased with both discharge power and gas pressure.     

大气压下石英毛细管内氩等离子体放电的发射光谱诊断

在长度为20 cm的石英毛细管内利用两个边缘锋利的中空的针型电极之间的氩气放电产生了高电子密度的大气压等离子体。利用发射光谱对所获得的等离子体的几个重要参数进行了诊断。利用计算机谱线拟合法合成了300 nm附近OH(A-X)的(0-0)转动谱带并通过与测量谱线的比较确定了等离子体的气体温度,根据H_β谱线Stark展宽法计算了等离子体的电子密度,采用玻尔兹曼曲线斜率法依据测得的有关氩的发射光谱估算了等离子体的电子温度。研究结果表明,这种石英毛细管内弧光放电等离子体的气体温度约为(1 100±50)K;电子密度数量级在1014 cm-3;电子温度约为(14 515±500)K。     

Plasma characteristics and broadband electromagnetic wave absorption in argon and helium capacitively coupled plasma

A one-dimensional self-consistent calculation model of capacitively coupled plasma(CCP) discharge and electromagnetic wave propagation is developed to solve the plasma characteristics and electromagnetic wave transmission attenuation.Numerical simulation results show that the peak electron number density of argon is about 12 times higher than that of helium, and that the electron number density increases with the augment of pressure, radio frequency(RF) power, and RF frequency. However, the electron number density first increases and then decreases as the discharge gap increases. The transmission attenuation of electromagnetic wave in argon discharge plasma is 8.5-d B higher than that of helium. At the same time, the transmission attenuation increases with the augment of the RF power and RF frequency, but it does not increase or decrease monotonically with the increase of gas pressure and discharge gap. The electromagnetic wave absorption frequency band of the argon discharge plasma under the optimal parameters in this paper can reach the Ku band. It is concluded that the argon CCP discharge under the optimal discharge parameters has great potential applications in plasma stealth.     

13.56 MHz/2 MHz柱状感性耦合等离子体参数的对比研究

通过Langmuir双探针和发射光谱诊断方法,对比研究了驱动频率为13.56 MHz和2 MHz柱状感性耦合等离子体中电子密度和电子温度的径向分布规律.结果表明:在高频和低频放电中,输入功率的增加对等离子体参数产生了不同的影响,高频放电中主要提升了电子密度,低频放电中则主要提升了电子温度.固定气压为10 Pa,分别由高频和低频驱动时,电子密度的径向分布均为"凸型".而电子温度的分布差异比较明显,高频驱动时,电子温度在腔室中心较为平坦,在边缘略有上升;低频驱动时,电子温度随径向距离的增加而逐渐下降.为了进一步分析造成这种差异的原因,在相同放电条件下采集了氩等离子体的发射光谱图,利用分支比法计算了亚稳态粒子的数密度,发现电子温度的径向分布始终与亚稳态粒子的径向分布相反.继续升高气压到100 Pa,发现不论高频还是低频放电,电子密度的径向分布均从"凸型"转变为"马鞍形",较低气压时电子密度的均匀性有了一定的提升,但低频的均匀性更好.     

Plasma Interaction with Boundary Surfaces in Low-Pressure Radio-Frequency Capacitive Discharge

A particular case of a problem on interaction of plasma with a surface is examined experimentally. We study interaction of its own plasma with boundary surfaces in a low-pressure radio-frequency (RF) capacitive discharge (RFCD) by considering their functions. On the basis of the physical model of RFCD substantiated earlier, we examine experimentally the physical conditions taking place in a near-electrode layer of space discharge, which lead to formation of pulsed electron beams and highly non-equilibrium plasma electron energy spectrum. We verify experimentally the known fact that in RFCD it is possible to generate natural oscillating LC circuits modulating the discharge current, and the conditions of their excitation by their own electron beams are clarified.     

Experimental Investigations of Discharge Characteristics and Plasma Parameters of a Cylindrical Cathode Discharge in a Magnetic Field. II. Plasma Parameters

The experimental determination of the main plasma parameters (i.e. plasma potential, plasma density, electron temperature, intensity of plasma radiation) in the negative glow of a cylindrical cathode discharge in magnetic field is presented. The influence of electrode configuration, gas pressure, discharge current and magnetic field on plasma parameters and their radial distribution is analysed.     

Spatial variation behaviors of argon inductively coupled plasma during discharge mode transition

A Langmuir probe and an ICCD are employed to study the discharge mode transition in Ar inductively coupled plasma. Electron density and plasma emission intensity are measured during the E (capacitive discharge) to H (inductive discharge) mode transitions at different pressures. It is found that plasma exists with a low electron density and a weak emission intensity in the E mode, while it has a high electron density and a strong emission intensity in the H mode. Meanwhile, the plasma emission intensity spatial (2D image) profile is symmetrical in the H mode, but the 2D image is an asymmetric profile in the E mode. Moreover, the electron density and emission intensity jump up discontinuously at high pressure, but increase almost continuously at the E to H mode transition under low pressure.     

短管螺旋波放电中等离子体参数测量和模式转化研究

对长度为45 cm的短放电管螺旋波放电等离子体进行了Langmuir探针、原子发射光谱以及集成电荷耦合检测器(ICCD)检测诊断,研究螺旋波等离子体的放电特性.Langmuir探针数据显示电子密度在射频功率增加过程中出现两次大幅增长,由此确认了放电模式的转换及螺旋波放电模式的出现.发射光谱测量结果与Langmuir探针测量的电子密度数据一致,发现Ar原子和Ar离子的谱线强度与放电模式变化有着密切相关性.而通过对不同放电模式的ICCD测量,获得射频功率吸收因放电模式转变而变化的方式,认为放电模式转换时电子行为和能量传递方式也发生着变化.     

射频功率对氢气与反式二丁烯的低压电感耦合等离子体的影响（英）

利用等离子体聚合技术制备的GDP壳层是目前ICF靶丸的主要烧蚀层材料。为了了解GDP薄膜沉积过程中的CH等离子体的状态,采用朗缪尔探针和质谱仪对C4H8/H2等离子体的组分和状态参数进行了诊断,并对等离子体的电子能量分布函数、电子密度、电子温度等进行了深入分析。同时讨论了等离子体状态与放电参数之间的关系。研究发现,射频功率对等离子体参数有明显的影响。从10 W到35 W,电子密度正比于射频功率。随着射频功率的增加,在两步电离机制作用下,电子温度和等离子体电势呈现先减小后增大的变化趋势。另外,在高气压下,质谱诊断中发现了大量的稳定的小质量碎片离子,这表明在高气压下等离子体气相中的离子碎片聚合反应被抑制。     

Modeling of argon discharge characteristics of planar-type surface wave plasmas in an electron fluid model

The planar-type surface wave plasma (SWP) device permits the generation of high-density and uniform processing plasmas via 2.45-GHz microwave power without the application of an external magnetic field. In the present study, the discharge characteristics in the SWP device were analyzed using a two-dimensional numerical simulation code, and the results were compared with experimental observations. The simulation code is based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for the microwave field and on the electron fluid model for the argon discharge plasma. Experimental measurements were performed, and they showed that the surface-wave discharge at a filling pressure of 10-100 mtorr has characteristic electron-density distributions that have a peak at approximately 2 cm from the surface. This characteristic of the electron density profiles, as well as the electron temperature profiles in the plasma, is reproduced by the simulation code, albeit with some discrepancies. In order to reduce the effects of these discrepancies, intentional changes in the electron heat conductivity were introduced, and the adiabatic assumption was found to result in a reasonable electron temperature profile. The effects of the alumina window thickness were also investigated in the simulation.     

Simulation of radio-frequency atmospheric pressure glow discharge in γ mode

The existence of two diffe1：ent discharge modes has been verified in an rf （radio-frequency） atmospheric pressure glow discharge （APGD） by Shi [J. Appl. Phys. 97, 023306 （2005）]. In the first mode, referred to as a mode, the discharge current density is relatively low and the bulk plasma electrons acquire the energy due to the sheath expansion. In the second mode, termed γ mode, the discharge current density is relatively high, the secondary electrons emitted by cathodc under ion bombardment in the cathode sheath region play an important role in sustaining the discharge. In this paper, a one-dimensional self-consistent fluid model for rf APGDs is used to simulate the discharge mechanisms in the mode in helium discharge between two parallel metallic planar electrodes. The results show that as the applied voltage increases, the discharge current becomes greater and the plasma density correspondingly increases, consequentially the discharge transits from the a mode into the γ mode. The high collisionality of the APGD plasma results in significant drop of discharge potential across the sheath region, and the electron Joule heating and the electron collisional energy loss reach their maxima in the region. The validity of the simulation is checked with the available experimental and numerical data.     

使用斯塔克展宽计算大气压射频介质阻挡放电氮气等离子体的电子密度

大气压射频等离子体是近几年发展起来的一种新型非平衡等离子体。以氮气掺杂少量氩气为放电气体,实现了大气压射频介质阻挡放电。利用发射光谱对放电进行在线诊断研究,并分析谱线线型,从中分离出谱线的Stark线型,从而计算出放电通道的电子密度。研究了单个放电通道中电子密度的空间分布并测量了通道同一位置的电子密度随放电输入功率的变化。结果显示,在放电通道中部,当放电输入功率由138W增加至248W,电子密度由4.038×1021 m-3升高至4.75×1021 m-3。     

Electrical discharge in the Teflon cavity of a coaxial pulsedplasma thruster

In this work, we analyze the physical processes of a pulsed discharge in a dielectric (Teflon) cavity. This type of discharge is generated in a coaxial pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) having a central Teflon cavity to produce a high-pressure cloud of ablation products during the discharge pulse. The primary intended role of this model is to provide upstream boundary conditions for particle simulation codes used to study the exhaust plume. The main features of the electrical discharge in the dielectric cavity include Joule heating of the plasma, heat transfer to the dielectric, decomposition of the dielectric followed by partial ionization, and acceleration of the plasma up to the sound speed at the cavity exit. We consider a diffuse type of discharge assuming that all plasma parameters are uniform in the cavity. The system of equations is based on the plasma energy balance, thermal conductivity, dielectric ablation, and mass balance. It is found that most of the energy of the plasma column is carried off by particle convection to the dielectric and by radiation. It is found that during the pulse, the electron density peaks at about 10²⁴ m^-3 and decreases to 10²¹ m^-3 toward the end of the pulse, whereas the electron temperature peaks at about 2.2 eV and decays to 1.5 eV. Teflon surface temperature peaks at about 650 K. Predicted plasma temperature and ablated mass are found to be in agreement with available experimental data     

60MHz电容耦合等离子体中电子能量分布函数特性研究

甚高频(频率大于30 MHz)耦合放电源由于能产生大面积高密度的等离子体而受到了人们的广泛关注. 采用电流、电压探针以及朗缪尔探针诊断技术对60MHz射频激发产生的容性耦合等离子体的放电特性及电子行为进行了研究. 实验结果表明,等离子体的等效电阻/电容随着射频输入功率的增加而减小/增加;等离子体中电子行为不仅依赖于射频输入功率,还与放电气压密切相关;放电气压的增加导致电子能量概率分布函数(EEPF)从双温Maxwellian分布向Druyvesteyn分布转变,而且转变气压远低于文献所报道的数值,这主要是由于在60MHz容性耦合等离子体中电子反弹共振加热效率大为降低. 关键词： 甚高频容性耦合等离子体 朗缪尔探针诊断 电子加热模式     

Characteristics of an atmospheric‐pressure radio frequency‐driven Ar/H2 plasma discharge with copper wire in tube

This paper investigates a plasma discharge driven by a 13.56 MHz radio frequency (RF) power supply at atmospheric pressure, in which a copper wire is inserted in the discharge tube for the deposition of Cu films. The results show that the jet plasma formation originates from the discharge between the copper wire and induction coil because of its electrostatic field. The axial distribution of the plasma parameters in the RF plasma jet, namely the gas temperature, excitation temperature, and electron number density, is determined by diatomic molecule OH fitting, Boltzmann slope, and H_β Stark broadening, respectively. The discharge current significantly declines when a small amount of hydrogen is added to the argon as the plasma‐forming gas, and the gas temperature of discharge plasma increases considerably.     

直流激励的大气压氩气喷枪的光谱研究

利用正高压驱动空心针-板喷枪装置,通入工作气体氩气,在大气压空气中产生了均匀稳定的喇叭状等离子体羽。电学和光学测量结果表明,放电虽然是在直流电源驱动下工作,但放电为周期性的脉冲。通过对等离子体羽发光信号进行空间分辨测量,研究了脉冲的形成机理,发现除针尖附近的电晕放电外,等离子体羽是以正流光(等离子体子弹)从针尖向着接地电极方向传播的。采用光谱学方法,对电子激发温度随电压的变化及其空间分布进行了测量。结果表明,电子激发温度(约为3 eV)随电压的增大而升高,在一定电压下,电子激发温度沿气流方向也在升高。     

Electron density in the oxygen discharge plasma

The electron density in two forms of the oxygen plasma positive column is determined. These two forms differ in the gradient of the potential of the axial electrical field. The electron density is measured by means of a microwave toroidal resonator. In the form with higher gradient (so-called “H” form), a lower electron density than in the form with lower gradient (so-called “T” form) is found. The electron density in the two types of oxygen discharge plasma, which differ in cathode fall, is measured too.     

容性耦合射频氩等离子体放电诊断研究及仿真模拟

针对中等气压、中等功率下射频容性耦合(CCRF)等离子体的放电特性,采用基于流体模型的COMSOL软件仿真,建立一维等离子体放电模型,以Ar为工作气体,研究同一气压时不同射频输入功率下等离子体电子温度和电子密度的分布规律。同时依据仿真模型设计制作相同尺寸的密闭玻璃腔体和平板电极,实验测量了不同射频输入功率时放电等离子体的有效电流电压及发射光谱,进而计算等离子体的电子温度及电子密度;利用玻耳兹曼双线测温法,得到光谱法下等离子体的电子温度及电子密度。结果表明:当气体压强为250 Pa、输入功率为100~450 W时,等离子体电压电流呈线性关系,电子密度随功率的增大而增大,而电子温度并未随功率的变化而有明显变化,其与功率无关。运用仿真模拟验证了实验的准确性,通过比较,三种方法所得的结果相近。通过结合等效回路法、光谱法和数值模拟仿真法初步诊断出中等气压下等离子体的放电参数,提出了结合三种方法作为实验研究的方法,使实验结果更具说服力,证明其方法的可靠性,也为进一步的等离子体特性研究提供依据。     

A Calculation of the Electron Temperature of Complex Plasma of Noble Gases Mixture in CCRF Discharge

In this paper the results of studying of the electron temperature of buffer and complex plasmas in mixtures of noble gases (helium + argon) in capacitively coupled radiofrequency (CCRF) discharge are presented. The optical properties of dusty plasma in argon, helium and their mixtures have been studied using optical diagnostic methods. Based on spectral lines of plasma forming gases, the dependence of the electron temperature on gas pressure and discharge power has been determined. The axial distribution of electron temperature in the interelectrode gap has been measured. Measurements have been made using an RF compensated electric probe. The comparison of the experimental results shows that admixture of a small amount of argon to helium leads to a decrease in the electron temperature of buffer plasma. The presence of dust particles in the plasma causes an increase in the electron temperature. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

甚高频激发容性耦合氩等离子体的电子能量分布函数的演变

甚高频激发的容性耦合等离子体由于离子通量和能量的相对独立可控而受到人们的关注. 本文采用朗缪尔探针诊断技术测量了40.68 MHz激发的容性耦合Ar等离子体的特性(如电子能量概率分布、电子温度和密度等)随宏观参量的演变情况. 实验结果表明, 电子能量概率分布随着气压的增加从双麦克斯韦分布逐步转变为单麦克斯韦分布并最终演变为Druyvesteyn分布, 而射频激发功率的增加促进了低能电子布居数的增强; 在从等离子体放电中心移向边界的过程中, 低能电子的布居数显著下降, 而高能电子的布居则有所上升; 放电极板间距的变化直接导致了等离子体中电子加热模式的转变. 另外, 我们也对等离子体中的高低能电子密度和温度的分配情况进行了讨论.