Normal Glow Discharge: Comparison of Calculated and Experimental Data

Abstract

The combined numerical and physical modeling of a glow discharge between plane disk electrodes in molecular nitrogen is performed at pressures р = 3 and 5 Torr. The satisfactory description of experimental data by the drift-diffusion model is shown. The simultaneous analysis of experimental and calculated data has permitted identification of the normal burning regime of a glow discharge. However, the essential effect of model parameters such as the secondary electron emission coefficient and the first Townsend coefficient on the calculated voltage–current characteristic has been demonstrated in this case.