Plasma source: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:16, 24 February 2004

Revision as of 12:20, 24 February 2004

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Generation of a [[plasma]] requires [[ionisation]] of neutral atoms[[atom]]s and/or molecules[[molecule]]s

of a medium. There are several ways to cause [[ionisation]]:

collisions of energetic particles, strong electric fields acting on bond

electrons, or ionising radiation. The [[kinetic energy]] for ionising collisions

may come from the heat of chemical or nuclear reactions of the medium, as in

flames[[flame]]s, for instance. Alternatively, already released charged particles may be

accelerated by electric fields, generated electrically or by radiation fields.

If at least as many charge carriers are created per time unit as