Mechanism for producing normal current density in a high-frequency α discharge in inert gases

In the present work, it was desired to show that the normal current density in an alpha discharge in light inert gases, i.e. helium, behaves essentially like that in nitrogen. As was done in a previous work (Ref.3), a uniform alpha discharge in a planar gap was considered. The balance equations for the Helium atoms were written, as were the balance equations for the electrons in the positive column for the metastables. With simplifying approximations, these equations were solved, and analytical expressions for the average electron energy and the electron energy distribution were obtained