The physical nature of the production of moving striations in a d-c discharge plasma

The physical nature of the stratification of the d-c discharge plasma is found and physically interpreted. The interpretation is based on the mathematical expression of the production of periodic structure in plasma after an aperiodic disturbance, derived from an extremely simplified system of equations. Only three basic phenomena occurring in the plasma of each d-c discharge are included: a) the dependence of the rate of ionization on the electron temperature and hence on the electric field, b) the production of space charges due to the different rates of diffusion of the electrons and ions, c) the creation of additional electric fields due to the creation of space charges. The interactions of these phenomena gives rise to a chain, expanded in time and space, which leads to the production of moving striations. In agreement with experiment this structure is developed only on the side towards the anode from the place where the equilibrium state is disturbed.

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In conclusion the authors thank J. Fousek, J. Kaczér and M. Novák for carefully reading this paper and for valuable remarks, and J. Holub for carrying out the numerical and graphical work.