Coupled Electron and Molecular Vibrational Kinetics in a 1D Particle-in- Cell Model of a Low Pressure, High Frequency Electric Discharge in Nitrogen

(Received 2 July 1996, revised 7 November 1996, accepted 13 December 1996)

Abstract
The interaction between state-to-state vibrational and charged particle kinetics in a low-pressure, high frequency electric discharge in N ₂ is investigated by using a PIC-MCC (Particle-in-Cell with Monte-Carlo collisions) model assuming a one-dimensional bounded system, while the vibrational kinetics is introduced by solving a set of reaction and diffusion equations. The catalytic activity of the electrode surfaces is considered in the boundary conditions. The coupling of the two kinetics has an effect on the Electron Energy Distribution Function (EEDF) and consequently on the rate of vibrational and electronic excitation of N₂ molecules, the charged particle distribution and the electric field.