Theoretical Description of the Radial Distributions of the Ions and of the Electrons in the Subnormal Positive Column

A relatively simple set of differential equations describing the radial profiles of the number densities and of the radial drift velocities of the ions and the electrons and of the radial electric field intensity in the subnormal positive column is derived. The inertia of the ions is taken into consideration, but the ion temperature is supposed to be zero. Corresponding boundary conditions are used. For discharges in argon under diffusion and under free-fall conditions numerical solutions are given.