Density waves in low-pressure plasma columns

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Abstract
Density waves in low-pressure are discharges have been observed travelling towards the anode with speeds near (kTε/M)½. A dispersion relation for these waves is developed, taking into account the boundary effects, namely, the continuous loss of ions to the containing walls. This theory is in fair agreement with experiment, except in its prediction of a rather high value for the wave damping. However, by allowing for the effect of electrostatic instabilities on anode-approaching waves, due to electron drift, this discrepancy is satisfactorily explained.

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