Three-body recombination of electrons and ions in the presence of two-level atoms

The distribution function of bound electrons and the recombination rate of electrons and ions in the presence of two-level atoms is considered within a diffusion model. Two cases are considered: (a) it is assumed in accordance with traditional theories that relaxation occurs as a result of binary collisions; (b) it is assumed that the anomalous drift previously discovered on the basis of a first-principles simulation takes place. It is shown that the distribution of bound electrons obtained on the basis of the theory of binary Coulomb collisions is not consistent with the results of a numerical many-particle dynamics simulation, while a kinetic model which utilizes the theory of anomalous drift is consistent with the simulation results. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 15–19 (January 1998)