Fluid-model analysis of electron swarms in a space-varying field: nonlocality and resonance phenomena

The physically based, benchmarked fluid model developed by Robson et al. [R. E. Robson, R. D. White and Z. Lj. Petrovic Rev. Mod. Phys. 77 1303 (2005)] and extended to analyze electron swarms in a spatially homogeneous electric field under conditions corresponding to the Franck-Hertz experiment [P. Nicoletopoulos and R. E. Robson Phys. Rev. Lett. 100 124502 (2008)] is generalized to investigate the nonlocal response and resonance phenomena associated with electrons subject to an externally prescribed, spatially varying electrostatic field. Analytic expressions are first derived for the mean velocity, energy, and heat flux of electrons in a harmonically varying field, and expressions are then given for fields with more general spatial dependences. Numerical examples are given for both benchmark model cross sections and a real gas.

Physical Review E (Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics)

Physical Review E (Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics)

85

1550-2376

N/A

4

7