Electron Transport Behavior in a Mirror Magnetic Field and a Non-uniform Electric Field

The behaviors of electrons as they move under the influence of mirror magnetic field and non-uniform electric field in a positive column of helium radio frequency gas discharge are studied by Monte Carlo simulation. Some types of collisions (elastic, excitation and ionization collisions) are considered. Graphs showing how the electron density, electron energy, electron current density, collision rate and the electron-scattering angular distribution are affected by the mirror magnetic field are presented. The results indicate that the mirror magnetic field can control the electron transport behavior in the positive column. In the presence of the mirror magnetic field, the electrons are restricted in the middle part of the positive column, and the electron density is greatly increased. The electron collision rate and the electron current density are enhanced in the middle region, and the electron-scattering angles are extended by the mirror magnetic fields. These results are in good agreement with experimental results.