Influence of Forbidden Processes on Similarity Law in Argon Glow Discharge at Low Pressure

Abstract

The similarity law of gas discharge is not always valid due to the occurrence of some elementary processes, such as the stepwise ionization process, which are defined as the forbidden processes. To research the influence of forbidden processes on the similarity law, physical parameters (i.e., the electric field, electron density, electron temperature) in similar gaps are investigated based on the fluid model of gas discharge. The products of gas pressure p and dimensions are kept to be constant in similar gaps and the discharge model is solved with and without the forbidden processes, respectively. Discharges in similar gaps are identified as glow discharges and the typical similarity relations all are investigated. The results show that the forbidden processes cause significant deviations of similarity relations from the theoretical ones and the deviations are enlarged as the scaled-down factor k increases. If the forbidden processes are excluded from the model, the similarity law will be valid in argon glow discharge at low pressure.