Electron impact ionization and excitation rate coefficients in the negative glow region of a glow discharge

Some easy to use reasonable approximations for electron impact rate coefficients have been considered. The most important rate coefficients for electron collisions in noble gases are electron-neutral ionization and electron impact excitation. Electron-neutral ionization besides electron impact excitation of some states of the argon and helium atom in direct current (dc) glow discharge plasma has been calculated. The plasma parameters of electron are significant factors for computing the rate coefficients. We present first results of probe diagnostic that includes the double probe measurements of the plasma parameters, namely, electron temperature (T-e) and electron density (n(e)). Electron properties obtained from the double probe characteristic curves including T-e and n(e) as well as the calculated rate coefficients (ionization and excitation) were studied as a function of the axial distance from the cathode while the discharge operating parameters of voltage and pressure were varied. Two regions of the glow discharge were investigated: cathode fall region and negative glow. Particular emphasis was placed on the negative glow region. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.