Time-Dependence of the Electron Energy Distribution Function in the Nitrogen Afterglow

Abstract—In this paper, we present an investigation of the time-relaxation of the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) in the nitrogen afterglow of an 2 = 433MHz flowing discharge at = 3 3 torr, in a tube with inner radius = 1 9 cm. We solve the time-dependent Boltzmann equation, including the term for creation of new electrons in associative/Penning reactions, coupled to a system of rate balance equations for the heavy-particles. The EEDFs are also obtained experimentally, from second derivatives of digitized probe characteristics measured using a triple probe technique, and compared with the calculations. It is shown that an equilibrium between the vibrational distribution function of ground-state moleculesN