A generalized two-fluid model of plasma sheath equilibrium structure

Abstract

A generalized two-fluid model to study the equilibrium structure of plasma sheath in a normal two-component plasma with all the possible viscoelastic effects taken into account is methodologically constructed for the first time. It includes weak but finite (lowest-order) inertial correction of the plasma thermal electrons. The Bohm condition for the sheath formation in viscoelastically modified form is strategically derived and methodically tested for accuracy in exactly reproducing the earlier well-known results in idealized normal plasma conditions. A systematic strategy of numerical illustrations is presented to investigate the main characteristic features of the sheath structure. It is demonstrated that the sheath evolution is considerably affected by both plasma viscoelasticity and the active electron inertial dynamics. The results can be extensively useful to explore realistic plasma boundary-wall interaction processes via cross-border effects in the presence of correlative coordination encountered in diversified laboratory, starspace and other astrophysical environments.