title: Nonlocal effect of plasma resonances on the electron energy-distribution function in microwave plasma columns.
abstract: Spatially resolved trace rare gases optical emission spectroscopy was used to analyze the electron energy-distribution function (EEDF) in low-pressure argon plasma columns sustained by surface waves. At frequencies >1 GHz, in the microwave-sustained region, the EEDF departs from a Maxwellian, characterized by a depletion of low-energy electrons and a high-energy tail, whereas in the field-free zone, the EEDF is Maxwellian. Abnormal behavior of the EEDF results from the acceleration of low-energy electrons due to the conversion of surface waves into volume plasmons at the resonance point where the plasma frequency equals the wave frequency and their absorption by either collisional or Landau damping.
authors.affiliation: Département de Physique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3J7.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Boudreault
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mattei
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Margot
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moisan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khare
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D008872:Microwaves; D008956:Models, Chemical; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D058626:Plasma Gases