Kinetic Simulation of Electron Transport Parameters and Dissociation Profiles in Low-Pressure Carbon Dioxide-Nitrogen Plasmas

International Journal of Physics | Vol. 11, No. 5, May 2020 | pp. 33–40

DOI: 10.46882/2020/IJP/000121

Research Article

Title: Kinetic Simulation of Electron Transport Parameters and Dissociation Profiles in Low-Pressure Carbon Dioxide-Nitrogen Plasmas

Names of Authors: A. M. El-Chemali¹, J. L. Manceau²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹ Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
² Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France

Abstract: Carbon dioxide-nitrogen (CO²-N²) gas mixtures are widely utilized in plasma processing reactors, environmental mitigation chambers, and gas discharge lasers. This study develops a self-consistent kinetic simulation model to analyze electron transport properties and compute dissociation profiles in low-pressure CO²-N² gas mixtures. We solved the electron Boltzmann equation using a multi-term spherical harmonic expansion scheme across a reduced electric field range (E/N) from 2.0 Td to 500.0 Td. The model incorporates comprehensive cross-section sets, including elastic scattering, electronic excitation, and direct impact ionization, while accounting for vibrational exchange processes. Our modeling results show that adding nitrogen fractions (from 10.0% to 50.0% by volume) drastically distorts the electron energy distribution function. At a field strength of E/N = 40.0 Td, the total dissociation rate coefficient increases significantly in the 50% CO² - 50% N² mixture compared to pure carbon dioxide. This enhancement is driven by resonant energy transfer between metastable nitrogen vibrational states and the ground-state carbon dioxide molecules. The calculated electron drift velocities match independent swarm experimental measurements within a ±4.5% variance. These kinetic parameters provide essential baseline input data for optimizing industrial plasma conversion systems.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide mixtures; Boltzmann equation; electron transport; plasma kinetics; cross-section; plasma modeling

Manuscript Timeline: Received: January 20, 2020; Revised: March 05, 2020; Accepted: April 02, 2020; Published: May 12, 2020

Citation: El-Chemali, A. M., & Manceau, J. L. (2020). Kinetic Simulation of Electron Transport Parameters and Dissociation Profiles in Low-Pressure Carbon Dioxide-Nitrogen Plasmas. International Journal of Physics, 11(5), 33–40.

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