Theory of High-Voltage Glow Discharge with the Generation of a Monoenergetic Electron Beam

Abstract

A kinetic theory of high-voltage glow discharge (HVGD) is developed. The Poisson equation in the space charge layer is solved taking into account the flow of ions coming from the plasma into the layer, the ionization of gas in the layer via electrons, ions, and fast atoms. On the cathode there is a potential and kinetic extraction of electrons from the surface. For different values of the gas density and secondary emission yield, the current–voltage characteristic is calculated, the dimensions of the space charge layer are determined, and electric field distributions in the layer are present, as well as other HVGD characteristics. The proposed mathematical model can be used to calculate the characteristics of electron accelerators based upon HVGD.