Determination of electron energy distribution functions in surface wave produced plasmas. I. Modelling

Abstract
For surface wave produced argon plasmas in the 60-180 MHz range, electron energy distribution functions are calculated from the electron Boltzmann equation solved in the Lorentz approximation. Breakdown and maintenance field strengths are determined self-consistently by satisfying additional balance equations. The influence of space charge fields and the limits of the approximations used are discussed.