The mathematical simulation of excitation processes in xenon low-pressure plasmas

Abstract

The excitation mechanisms of Xe atoms in low-pressure plasmas was analyzed in the frame of the collisional radiative model. The calculations were carried out for the following plasma parameters: an atom concentration in the range of n(0) = 10(10) - 10(16) cm(-3) a degree of plasma ionization in the range of n(+)/n(0) = 10(-5) - 1, and an optical plasma thickness in the range of theta = 1(1) - 10(3). It was assumed that the electron energy distribution could be described by a Maxwell function with a temperature T-epsilon = 0.5-20 eV. For all considered plasma parameters the obtained results exhibited essentially the non-equilibrium character of atoms distribution over the excited states.