A positive column of electric discharge in a transverse magnetic field

The influence of a transverse magnetic field on the characteristics of the positive column of electric discharge was investigated in both the diffusion and nondiffusion approximations. All solutions in the diffusion approximation were derived in analytical form. It is shown that with the enhancement of the magnetic field induction, the concentration distributions of the plasma and particle fluxes to insulated walls become nonsymmetric, the concentration maximum displaces in the direction of the magnetic force action, and the ion flux concurrent with this force may exceed substantially the ion flux in the opposite direction. The dependences of discharge parameters on the induction value are defined for helium. It is demonstrated that there is a maximum value of induction which bounds from above the range of magnetic fields, where the stationary state of the positive column is possible. In the range allowed for the stationary state, a single induction value is matched by two different modes of the positive column varying in values of the electron energy, drift speed, and electric-field strength. By means of the transverse magnetic field, it is possible to vary the electron energy within wide limits (from a few electronvolts to several hundred electronvolts).