Nonisothermal plasma in a rotating rf field

A theory is derived for a nonisothermal plasma in a rotating rf field with electron-impact ionization, recycling, and transport. The field in the plasma is derived as a function of the current in the external circuit. The equations of motion and the heat balance equations for the electrons, ions, and atoms are analyzed. Expressions are derived for the radial profiles of the properties in a plasma column. It is shown in particular that the electron temperature remains roughly constant over the plasma volume and that the ion and atom rotation velocities are comparable in magnitude, if the ranges of the particles are short. The method for calculating the plasma properties in a specific case is illustrated. The results agree well with experiment. The expressions derived here can be used to evaluate the usefulness of rotating rf fields for various technical applications