Ion-neutral Collisions Research Articles

Characterization and global modelling of low-pressure hydrogen-based RF plasmas suitable for surface cleaning processes

In this paper we present results of measurements and global modelling of low-pressure inductively coupled H2 plasma which is suitable for surface cleaning applications. The plasma is ignited at 1 Pa in a helicon-type reactor and is characterized using optical emission measurements (optical actinometry) and electrical measurements, namely Langmuir and catalytic probe. By comparing catalytic probe data obtained at the centre of the chamber with optical actinometry results, an approximate calibration of the actinometry method as a semi-quantititative measure of H density was achieved. Coefficients for conversion of actinometric ratios to H densities are tabulated and provided. The approximate validity region of the simple actinometry formula for low-pressure H2 plasma is discussed in the online supplementary data (stacks.iop.org/JPhysD/46/475206/mmedia). Best agreement with catalytic probe results was obtained for (Hβ, Ar750) and (Hβ, Ar811) actinometric line pairs. Additionally, concentrations of electrons and ions as well as plasma potential, electron temperature and ion fluxes were measured in the chamber centre at different plasma powers using a Langmuir probe. Moreover, a global model of an inductively coupled plasma was formulated using a compiled reaction set for H2/Ar gas mixture. The model results compared reasonably well with the results on H atom and charge particle densities and a sensitivity analysis of important input parameters was conducted. The influence of the surface recombination, ionization, and dissociation coefficients, and the ion–neutral collision cross-section on model results was demonstrated.

MAGNETOACOUSTIC WAVES IN A PARTIALLY IONIZED TWO-FLUID PLASMA

Compressible disturbances propagate in a plasma in the form of magnetoacoustic waves driven by both gas pressure and magnetic forces. In partially ionized plasmas the dynamics of ionized and neutral species are coupled due to ion-neutral collisions. As a consequence, magnetoacoustic waves propagating through a partially ionized medium are affected by the ion-neutral coupling. The degree to which the behavior of the classic waves is modified depends on the physical properties of the various species and on the relative value of the wave frequency compared to the ion-neutral collision frequency. Here, we perform a comprehensive theoretical investigation of magnetoacoustic wave propagation in a partially ionized plasma using the two-fluid formalism. We consider an extensive range of values for the collision frequency, ionization ratio, and plasma $\beta$, so that the results are applicable to a wide variety of astrophysical plasmas. We determine the modification of the wave frequencies and study the frictional damping due to ion-neutral collisions. Approximate analytic expressions to the frequencies are given in the limit case of strongly coupled ions and neutrals, while numerically obtained dispersion diagrams are provided for arbitrary collision frequencies. In addition, we discuss the presence of cutoffs in the dispersion diagrams that constrain wave propagation for certain combinations of parameters. A specific application to propagation of compressible waves in the solar chromosphere is given.

Practical expression for an effective ion-neutral collision frequency in flowing plasmas of some noble gases

AbstractA simple expression for the effective ion-neutral collision frequency in weakly ionized drifting plasmas of helium, neon, and argon is suggested. This expression can be useful for practical estimations related to the problems of particle charging and ion drag force in complex (dusty) plasmas.

A STUDY OF ALFVÉN WAVE PROPAGATION AND HEATING THE CHROMOSPHERE

Alfven wave propagation, reflection, and heating of the chromosphere are studied for a one-dimensional solar atmosphere by self-consistently solving plasma, neutral fluid, and Maxwell's equations with incorporation of the Hall effect and strong electron-neutral, electron-ion, and ion-neutral collisions. We have developed a numerical model based on an implicit backward difference formula of second-order accuracy both in time and space to solve stiff governing equations resulting from strong inter-species collisions. A non-reflecting boundary condition is applied to the top boundary so that the wave reflection within the simulation domain can be unambiguously determined. It is shown that due to the density gradient the Alfven waves are partially reflected throughout the chromosphere and more strongly at higher altitudes with the strongest reflection at the transition region. The waves are damped in the lower chromosphere dominantly through Joule dissipation, producing heating strong enough to balance the radiative loss for the quiet chromosphere without invoking anomalous processes or turbulences. The heating rates are larger for weaker background magnetic fields below ~500 km with higher-frequency waves subject to heavier damping. There is an upper cutoff frequency, depending on the background magnetic field, above which the waves are completely damped. At the frequencies below which the waves are not strongly damped, the interaction of reflected waves with the upward propagating waves produces power at their double frequencies, which leads to more damping. The wave energy flux transmitted to the corona is one order of magnitude smaller than that of the driving source.

Simulated ion velocity distribution and its incoherent scattering spectrum in the high-latitude ionosphere

If the relatively larger convection electric field and small the collision frequency between ions and neutrals in the high-latitude ionosphere are considered, the integral solution of the non-Maxwellian ion velocity distribution function for the relaxation collision model is simplified, and a torus distribution function of the ion velocity is obtained. Also, the feature of the torus velocity distribution function is analyzed and simulated with different parameters in high-latitude ionosphere. Furthermore, by using the electromagnetic radiation theory of Sheffield and taking into account the ion temperature anisotropy and its variation with the electric field, we simulate the incoherent scattering spectrum of ions in different directions. The research shows that the ionospheric convection electric field, the ion-neutral collision frequency and the ion anisotropic temperature distribution all have an effect on the incoherent scattering spectrum.

Effect of collision parameters in electronegative plasma sheath with two species of positive ions

The effect of ion neutral collision is shown for two species of positive ions in electronegative plasma. The ion neutral collision is modeled using power law of collision cross section. It is a usual case for processing plasma to have two species of positive ions and hence we attempt to study the dynamics of the two species of ions inside the collisional sheath of electronegative plasma.

Collisional effects on nonlinear ion drag force for small grains

The ion drag force arising from plasma flow past an embedded spherical grain is calculated self-consistently and non-linearly using particle in cell codes, accounting for ion-neutral collisions. Using ion velocity distribution appropriate for ion drift driven by a force field gives wake potential and force greatly different from a shifted Maxwellian distribution, regardless of collisionality. The low-collisionality forces are shown to be consistent with estimates based upon cross-sections for scattering in a Yukawa (shielded) grain field, but only if non-linear shielding length is used. Finite collisionality initially enhances the drag force, but only by up to a factor of 2. Larger collisionality eventually reduces the drag force. In the collisional regime, the drift distribution gives larger drag than the shift distribution even at velocities where their collisionless drags are equal. Comprehensive practical analytic formulas for force that fit the calculations are provided.

Self-similar space-time evolution of an initial density discontinuity

The space-time evolution of an initial step-like plasma density variation is studied. We give particular attention to formulate the problem in a way that opens for the possibility of realizing the conditions experimentally. After a short transient time interval of the order of the electron plasma period, the solution is self-similar as illustrated by a video where the space-time evolution is reduced to be a function of the ratio x/t. Solutions of this form are usually found for problems without characteristic length and time scales, in our case the quasi-neutral limit. By introducing ion collisions with neutrals into the numerical analysis, we introduce a length scale, the collisional mean free path. We study the breakdown of the self-similarity of the solution as the mean free path is made shorter than the system length. Analytical results are presented for charge exchange collisions, demonstrating a short time collisionless evolution with an ensuing long time diffusive relaxation of the initial perturbation. For large times, we find a diffusion equation as the limiting analytical form for a charge-exchange collisional plasma, with a diffusion coefficient defined as the square of the ion sound speed divided by the (constant) ion collision frequency. The ion-neutral collision frequency acts as a parameter that allows a collisionless result to be obtained in one limit, while the solution of a diffusion equation is recovered in the opposite limit of large collision frequencies.

The damping of transverse oscillations of prominence threads: a comparative study

AbstractTransverse oscillations of thin threads in solar prominences are frequently reported in high-resolution observations. The typical periods of the oscillations are in the range of 3 to 20 min. A peculiar feature of the oscillations is that they are damped in time, with short damping times corresponding to few periods. Theoretically, the oscillations are interpreted as kink magnetohydrodynamic waves. However, the mechanism responsible for the damping is not well known. Here we perform a comparative study between different physical mechanisms that may damp kink waves in prominence threads. The considered processes are thermal conduction, cooling by radiation, resonant absorption, and ion-neutral collisions. We find that thermal conduction and radiative cooling are very inefficient for the damping of kink waves. The effect of ion-neutral collisions is minor for waves with periods usually observed. Resonant absorption is the only process that produces an efficient damping. The damping times theoretically predicted by resonant absorption are compatible with those reported in the observations.

Sheath and boundary conditions in a collisional magnetized warm electronegative plasma

The characteristics of a weakly collisional sheath in a warm electronegative plasma in the presence of an oblique magnetic field are investigated using a fluid model including the effects of ionization and ion-neutral collisions. The general sheath criterion imposed on the entrance velocity component of the positive ions perpendicular to the wall at the sheath-presheath edge is derived and discussed. It is shown that the boundary conditions are crucial to the sheath structure. Without including the entrance velocity components parallel to the wall, a pulse-like structure in the positive-ion density distribution near the sheath-presheath edge appears if the magnetic field is strong. With inclusion of all velocity components at the edge, the pulse-like structure disappears, resulting in a smooth sheath profile. It is also found that increasing the temperature and decreasing the concentration of the negative ions will increase the sheath thickness, and increasing the magnetic field will decrease the sheath thickness.

Energy-Resolved Collision-Induced Dissociation Studies of 1,10-Phenanthroline Complexes of the Late First-Row Divalent Transition Metal Cations: Determination of the Third Sequential Binding Energies

The third sequential binding energies of the late first-row divalent transition metal cations to 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) are determined by energy-resolved collision-induced dissociation (CID) techniques using a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. Five late first-row transition metal cations in their +2 oxidation states are examined including: Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), and Zn(2+). The kinetic energy dependent CID cross sections for loss of an intact Phen ligand from the M(2+)(Phen)3 complexes are modeled to obtain 0 and 298 K bond dissociation energies (BDEs) after accounting for the effects of the internal energy of the complexes, multiple ion-neutral collisions, and unimolecular decay rates. Electronic structure theory calculations at the B3LYP, BHandHLYP, and M06 levels of theory are employed to determine the structures and theoretical estimates for the first, second, and third sequential BDEs of the M(2+)(Phen)x complexes. B3LYP was found to deliver results that are most consistent with the measured values. Periodic trends in the binding of these complexes are examined and compared to the analogous complexes to the late first-row monovalent transition metal cations, Co(+), Ni(+), Cu(+), and Zn(+), previously investigated.

ABSOLUTE INTEGRAL CROSS SECTIONS AND PRODUCT BRANCHING RATIOS FOR THE VIBRATIONALLY SELECTED ION-MOLECULE REACTIONS: N$_{2}^{+}$(X2Σ$_{\rm g}^{+}$;v+= 0-2) + CH4

Absolute vibrationally selected integral cross sections (σ v +'s) for the ion-molecule reaction N(X 2Σ; v + = 0-2) + CH4 have been measured by using the newly developed vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) laser pulsed field ionization-photoion (PFI-PI) double-quadrupole-double-octopole ion guide apparatus. By employing a novel electric field pulsing scheme to the VUV laser PFI-PI source, we have been able to prepare reactant N ions in single-vibrational quantum states with not only high intensity and high purity but also high kinetic energy resolution, allowing integral cross section measurements to be conducted in the center-of-mass kinetic energies (E cm's) from 0.05 to 10.00 eV. Three primary product channels corresponding to the formations of CH, CH, and N2H+ were identified. After correcting for the secondary reactions involving CH and CH, we have determined the σ v + values of the formation of these primary product ions, σv+(CH), σv+(CH), and σv+(N2H+), and their branching ratios, [σv+(CH): σv+(CH): σv+(N2H+)]/σv+(CH + CH + N2H+), v + = 0-2, in the E cm range of 0.05-10.00 eV, where σv+(CH + CH + N2H+) = σv+(CH) + σv+(CH) + σv+(N2H+). The branching ratios are found to be nearly independent of the v + state and E cm. Complex v +-state and E cm dependences for σv+(CH), σv+(CH), and σv+(N2H+) along with vibrational inhibition for the formation of these product ions are observed. The vibrational effects on the σv+ values are sufficiently large to warrant the inclusion of the vibrationally excited reactions N(X 2Σ; v + ≥ 1) + CH4 for a more realistic modeling of the ion and neutral densities observed in the atmosphere of Titan. The cross-sectional data obtained in the present study are also useful for benchmarking theoretical calculations on ion-neutral collision dynamics.

Ion–neutral coupling in Earth's thermosphere, estimated from concurrent radar and optical observations above Alaska

During March–April 2011 a campaign of coordinated observations was undertaken between the Poker Flat Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar and the Poker Flat Scanning Doppler Imager. These instruments provide horizontally resolved maps of plasma and neutral parameters in Earth's thermosphere. We report on data collected during the campaign, and use these data to investigate two key aspects of ion–neutral coupling, namely Joule heating and the ion–neutral collision frequency. Volumetric Joule heating rates were often well correlated with measured ion temperature enhancements. The contribution of the neutral wind dynamo to the observed heating rates was positive when the absolute horizontal magnetic field perturbation (|ΔH|) was less than approximately 40nT, and negative above that level. The total momentum–transfer ion–neutral collision frequency was estimated to be 1.02−0.152+0.179s−1 at an altitude of 260km, which, for a neutral composition of 75% atomic oxygen, yielded an estimate of the O+–O collision frequency of 0.766−0.114+0.134s−1.

ALFVÉN WAVES IN A PARTIALLY IONIZED TWO-FLUID PLASMA

Alfv\'en waves are a particular class of magnetohydrodynamic waves relevant in many astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. In partially ionized plasmas the dynamics of Alfv\'en waves is affected by the interaction between ionized and neutral species. Here we study Alfv\'en waves in a partially ionized plasma from the theoretical point of view using the two-fluid description. We consider that the plasma is composed of an ion-electron fluid and a neutral fluid, which interact by means of particle collisions. To keep our investigation as general as possible we take the neutral-ion collision frequency and the ionization degree as free parameters. First, we perform a normal mode analysis. We find the modification due to neutral-ion collisions of the wave frequencies and study the temporal and spatial attenuation of the waves. In addition, we discuss the presence of cut-off values of the wavelength that constrain the existence of oscillatory standing waves in weakly ionized plasmas. Later, we go beyond the normal mode approach and solve the initial-value problem in order to study the time-dependent evolution of the wave perturbations in the two fluids. An application to Alfv\'en waves in the low solar atmospheric plasma is performed and the implication of partial ionization for the energy flux is discussed.

Ion-neutral chemistry at ultralow energies: dynamics of reactive collisions between laser-cooled Ca+ ions and Rb atoms in an ion-atom hybrid trap †

Cold chemical reactions between laser-cooled Ca+ ions and Rb atoms were studied in an ion-atom hybrid trap. Reaction rate constants were determined in the range of collision energies ⟨E coll⟩/k B=20 mK-20 K. The lowest energies were achieved in experiments using single localised Ca+ ions. Product branching ratios were studied using resonant-excitation mass spectrometry. The dynamics of the reactive processes in this system (non-radiative and radiative charge transfer as well as radiative association leading to the formation of CaRb+ molecular ions) have been analysed using high-level quantum-chemical calculations of the potential energy curves of CaRb+ and quantum-scattering calculations for the radiative channels. For the present low-energy scattering experiments, it is shown that the energy dependence of the reaction rate constants is governed by long-range interactions in line with the classical Langevin model, but their magnitude is determined by short-range non-adiabatic and radiative couplings which only weakly depend on the asymptotic energy. The quantum character of the collisions is predicted to manifest itself in the occurrence of narrow shape resonances at well-defined collision energies. The present results highlight both universal and system-specific phenomena in cold ion-neutral reactive collisions.

Enhanced momentum delivery by electric force to ions due to collisions of ions with neutrals

Ions in partially ionized argon, nitrogen, and helium gas discharges are accelerated across a magnetic field by an applied electric field, colliding with neutrals during the acceleration. The momentum delivered by the electric force to the ions, which is equal to the momentum carried by the mixed ion-neutral flow, is found by measuring the force exerted on a balance force meter by that flow exiting the discharge. The power deposited in the ions is calculated by measuring the ion flux and the accelerating voltage. The ratio of force over power is found for the three gases, while the gas flow rates and magnetic field intensities are varied over a wide range of values, resulting in a wide range of gas pressures and applied voltages. The measurements for the three different gases confirm our previous suggestion [G. Makrinich and A. Fruchtman, Appl. Phys. Lett. 95, 181504 (2009)] that the momentum delivered to the ions for a given power is enhanced by ion-neutral collisions during the acceleration and that this enhancement is proportional to the square root of the number of ion-neutral collisions.

Ion response in a weakly ionized plasma with ion flow

We study the ion response to an initial perturbation in a weakly ionized plasma with ion flow driven by a dc electric field. The analysis is made by extending the classical Landau work [J. Phys. (USSR) 10, 25 (1946)] to the ion kinetic equation including ion-neutral collisions and a dc electric field. We show, in particular, that the complex frequencies of ion waves can be directly found from a known expression for the ion susceptibility [A. V. Ivlev et al., Phys. Rev. E 71, 016405 (2005); V. A. Schweigert, Phys. Rep. 27, 997 (2001)]; this is not obvious from its original derivation, because it only aims to describe the ion response for real frequencies.

Metal Cation Dependence of Interactions with Amino Acids: Bond Energies of Rb+ and Cs+ to Met, Phe, Tyr, and Trp

The interactions of rubidium and cesium cations with four amino acids (AA) including methionine (Met), phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), and tryptophan (Trp) are examined in detail. Experimentally, the bond dissociation energies (BDEs) are determined using threshold collision-induced dissociation of the Rb(+)(AA) and Cs(+)(AA) complexes with xenon in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. Analyses of the energy dependent cross sections include consideration of unimolecular decay rates, internal energy of the reactant ions, and multiple ion-neutral collisions. 0 K BDEs of 121.0 ± 7.0 (102.8 ± 6.6), 123.8 ± 7.2 (112.9 ± 5.5), 125.8 ± 7.4 (115.6 ± 6.9), and 138.1 ± 7.5 (125.0 ± 6.8) kJ/mol are determined for complexes of Rb(+) (Cs(+)) with Met, Phe, Tyr, and Trp, respectively. Quantum chemical calculations are conducted at the B3LYP, MP2(full), and M06 levels of theory with geometries and zero point energies calculated at the B3LYP level using def2-TZVPPD basis sets. Results obtained using all three levels show good agreement with experiment, with B3LYP values being systematically low and MP2(full) and M06 values being systematically high. At 0 and 298 K, theory predicts the ground-state conformers for M(+)(Met) either have tridentate binding of the metal cation to the carbonyl, amino, and sulfur groups (MP2 and M06) or to both oxygens of a zwitterionic conformation (B3LYP). At 298 K, binding to the carboxylic acid group and the sulfur also becomes competitive. For the aromatic amino acids at 0 K, most levels of theory favor tridentate binding of the metal ions to the backbone carbonyl and amino groups along with the π-cloud of the ring, whereas for Rb(+)(Trp) and Cs(+)(AA), B3LYP theory favors binding to only the carbonyl and ring groups. At 298 K, B3LYP favors the latter binding mode for all three Rb(+)(aromatic AA) complexes. Comparison of these results to those for the smaller alkali cations provides insight into the trends in binding affinities and structures associated with metal cation variations.

Collision and recombination driven instabilities in variable charged dusty plasmas

The dust-acoustic instability driven by recombination of electrons and ions on the surface of charged and variably-charged dust grains as well as by collisions in dusty plasmas with significant pressure of background neutrals have been theoretically investigated. The recombination driven instability is shown to be dominant in the long wavelength regime even in the presence of dust-neutral and ion-neutral collisions, while in the shorter wavelength regime, the dust-neutral collision is found to play a major role. In an earlier research work, the dust-neutral collision was neglected in comparison to the effect due to the recombination for estimating the dust-acoustic instability; later the other report shows that the recombination effect is negligible in the presence of dust-neutral collisions. In line of this present situation our investigation revealed that the recombination is more important than dust-neutral collisions in laboratory plasma and fusion plasma, while the dust-neutral collision frequency is dominant in the interstellar plasmas. The effects of ion and dust densities and ion streaming on the recombination and collision driven mode in parameter regimes relevant for many experimental studies on dusty plasmas have also been calculated.

Ion–Neutral Collision Modeling Using Classical Scattering With Spin-Orbit Free Interaction Potential

A particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision model is developed to explore dominant collisional effects on high-velocity xenon ions incident to a quiescent xenon gas at low neutral pressures. The range of neutral pressure and collisionality examined are applicable for electric propulsion as well as plasma processing devices; therefore, the computational technique described herein can be applied to more complex simulations of those devices. Momentum and resonant charge-exchange collisions between ions and background neutrals are implemented using two different models, classical scattering with spin-orbit free potential and variable-hard-sphere model, depending on the incident particle energy. The primary and charge-exchange ions are tracked separately, and their trajectories within a well-defined “Test Cell” domain are determined. Predicted electrode currents as a function of the Test Cell pressure are compared with electrode currents measured in an ion gun experiment. The simulation results agree well with the experiment up to a Test Cell pressure corresponding to a mean free path of the Test Cell length and then start to deviate with increasing collisionality at higher pressures. This discrepancy at higher pressures is likely due to the increasing influence of secondary electrons emitted from electrodes due to the high-velocity impacts of heavy species (i.e., beam ions and fast neutrals created by charge-exchange interaction) at the electrode surfaces.