Sheath Structures of Strongly Electronegative Plasmas

The sheath structures of strongly electronegative plasmas are investigated on basis of the accurate Bohm criterion obtained by Sagdeev potential. It is found that the presheath transition between the bulk plasma and the sheath almost does not exist there, and that distributions of electrons, negative and positive ions in the sheath form a pure positive ion sheath near the boundary of the electrode. Furthermore, the density distribution of space net charge has a peak near the sheath edge, the spatial potential within the sheath falls faster, and the sheath thickness becomes thinner.

Modelling of electronegative collisional warm plasma for plasma-surface interaction process

An electronegative collisional plasma having warm and massive positive ions,non-extensive distributed electrons and Boltzmann distributed negative ions is modelled for the plasma-surface interaction process that is used for the surface nitriding.Specifically the sheath formation is evaluated through the Bohm’s criterion,which is found to be modified,and the variation of the sheath thickness and profiles of the density of plasma species and the net space charge density in the sheath region in addition to the electric potential.The effect of ion temperature,nonextensivity and collisional parameter is examined in greater detail considering the collisional cross-section to obey power-law dependency on the positive ion velocity.The positive ions are found to enter in the sheath region at lower velocities in the collisional plasma compared to the case of collision-less plasma;this velocity sees minuscule reduction with increasing nonextensivity.The increasing ion temperature and collisional parameter lead to the formation of sheath with smaller thickness.

Cylindrical and spherical Gardner solitons and double layers in a dusty electronegative non-thermal plasma with two-temperature electrons

A precise theoretical investigation has been made on the cylindrical and spherical （nonplanar） Gardner solitons （GSs） and double layers （DLs） in a dusty electronegative plasma （composed of inertial positive and negative ions, Maxwellian cold electrons, non-thermal hot electrons, and negatively charged static dust）. The reductive perturbation method has been used in derivation of the modified Gardner （MG） equation describing the nonlinear propagation of the dust ion-acoustic （DIA） waves. The MG equation admits solitary waves （SWs） and DLs solutions for σ around its critical value σ c （where σc is the value of σ corresponding to the vanishing of the nonlinear coefficient of the Korteweg de-Vries （K-dV） equation）. The nonplanar SWs and DLs solutions are numerically analyzed and the parametric regimes for the existence of the positive as well as negative SWs and negative DLs are obtained. The basic features of nonplanar DIA SWs and DLs, which are found to be different from planar ones, are also identified. The implications of our results to different space and laboratory dusty plasma situations, are discussed.

Characteristics of Positive Ions in the Sheath Region of Magnetized Collisional Electronegative Discharges

A hydrodynamic model is used to investigate the characteristics of positive ions in the sheath region of a low-pressure magnetized electronegative discharge. Positive ions are modeled as a cold fluid, while the electron and negative ion density distributions obey the Boltzmann distribution with two different temperatures. By taking into account the ion-neutral collision effect in the sheath region and assuming that the momentum transfer cross section has a power law dependence on the velocity of positive ions, the sheath formation criterion （modified Bohm＇s criterion） is derived and it is shown that there are specified maximum and minimum limits for the ion Mach number M. Considering these two limits of M, the behaviors of electrostatic potential, charged particle density distributions and positive ion velocities in the sheath region are studied for different values of ion-neutral collision frequency.

Kinetic simulation of an electronegative plasma with a cut-off distribution and modified Bohm criterion

A kinetic simulation model has been employed to study the properties of an electronegative magnetized plasma sheath assuming the cut-off distribution of electrons and negative ions.The fundamental kinetic Bohm condition for the electronegative magnetized plasma has paramount importance for the formation of a stationary plasma sheath near the material wall.The presence of an oblique magnetic field in an electronegative plasma affects the ion distribution at the plasma injection side and at the wall.The temperature profile of negative charged particles has a non-uniform distribution,which determines the energy flow towards the wall.

Delta distribution of electronegative plasma predicted by reformed“spring oscillator”dynamic equation with dispersing force

In our relevant paper[Zhao S X(2021)Chin.Phys.B 30055201],a delta distribution of negative ions is given by fluid simulation and preliminarily explained by decomposed anions transport equation.In the present work,first,the intrinsic connection between the electropositive plasma transport equation and spring oscillator dynamic equation is established.Inspired by this similarity,reformed“spring oscillator”equation with dispersing instead of restoring force that gives quasi-delta solution is devised according to the math embodied in the anion equation,which is of potential significance to the disciplines of atomic physics and astronomy as well.For solving the“diffusion confusion”the physics that determines the delta profile within the continuity equation is explored on the basis that recombination loss source term plays the role of drift flux,which is applicable for fluid model of low temperature plasma,but not the ordinary fluid dynamics.Besides,the math and physics revealed in this work predict that the ratio of recombination or attachment(for electrons)frequency versus the species diffusion coefficient is a very important parameter in determining the delta distribution,as it acts as the acceleration of object,according to the reformed oscillator equation.With this theory,the analogous delta profile of electrons density in the famous drift and ambi-polar diffusion heating mechanism of electronegative capacitively coupled plasma is interpreted.

Kinetic-theory-based investigation of electronegative plasma–wall transition with two populations of electrons

Kinetic theory has been employed to investigate the magnetized plasma-sheath structure and its characteristics in the presence of more than one species of negatively charged particles:hot electrons,cold electrons,and negative ions.The cold electrons and negative ions are considered to obey a Maxwellian distribution,whereas the hot electrons follow a truncated Maxwellian distribution.The Bohm sheath condition has been extended for the case of more than one species of negatively charged particles,in which the concentration of hot electrons has a crucial role in achieving the Bohm velocity.The thermal motion of hot electrons is much higher compared to cold electrons and negative ions,such that the variation of hot electron concentrations and the temperature ratio of hot to cold electrons play a key role in the determination of the plasma-sheath parameters:particle densities,electrostatic potential,the flow of positive ions towards the wall,and sheath thickness.We have estimated the deviation of the resultant drift velocity of positive ions on the plane perpendicular to the wall from the parallel component at the presheath–sheath interface.It is found that the deviation between the two velocity components increases with an increase in the obliqueness of the magnetic field.Furthermore,the results obtained from the kinetic trajectory simulation model are compared with the results obtained using a fluid model;the results are qualitatively similar,although the potential varies by less than 4%in terms of the magnitude at the wall.

Sheath Criterion for an Electronegative Plasma Sheath in an Oblique Magnetic Field

The sheath criterion for an electronegative plasma composed of hot electrons,hot negative ions and cold positive ions in an oblique magnetic field is investigated.We discuss the effects of negative ions and external magnetic field on the sheath criterion.We find that the ion Mach number is of relatively low value because of Coulomb attraction between positive and negative ions.Also the ion Mach number depends on the magnitude and the angle of the magnetic field as well as the initial velocity of ion flow.

Surface Potential of Dust Grains at the Sheath Edge of Electronegative Dusty Plasmas

In this paper we investigate the dust surface potential at the sheath edge of electronegative dusty plasmas theoretically, using the standard fluid model for the sheath and treating electrons and negative ions as Boltzmann particles but positive ions and dust grains as cold fluids. The dust charging model is self-consistently coupled with the sheath formation criterion by the dust surface potential and the ion Mach number, moreover the dust density variation is taken into account. The numerical results reveal that the dust number density and negative ion number density as well as its temperature can significantly affect the dust surface potential at the sheath edge.

SURVEYING INTO THE LIMITING BREAKDOWN STRENGTH AND THE FIGURE OF MERIT OF STRONGLY ELECTRONEGATIVE GASES

The variation of the limiting breakdown strengths of strongly electronegative gases, es-pecially, the gas mixtures, with relative gas concentrations, is discussed. Four basic types ofthe behaviour of the variation have been identified, i.e. the linear relation, the synergisticrelation, the positive synergistic relation and the negative synergistic relation. Here alsodiscussed are the values of the figure of merit of electronegative gases and their mixturesand the relationship of the limiting breakdown strength and the figure of meri?.

Ion resonance causes striations in electronegative rf glow discharges

With the support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Dr Liu Yongxin(刘永新)and his coworkers at the Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser,Ion,and Electron Beams(Ministry of Education),School of Physics and Optoelectronic Technology,Dalian University of Technology,observed,for the first time,the self-organized striated structures of the plasma emission in

An atomic electronegative distance vector and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of alcohols and alkanes

A novel atomic electronegative distance vector (AEDV) has been developed to express the chemical environment of various chemically equivalent carbon atoms in alcohols and alkanes. Combining AEDV and γ parameter, four five-parameter linear relationship equations of chemical shift for four types of carbon atom are created by using multiple linear regression. Correlation coefficients are R = 0.9887, 0.9972, 0.9918 and 0.9968 end roots of mean square error are RMS = 0.906, 0. 821, 1.091 and 1.091 of four types of carbons, i.e., type 1, 2, 3, and 4 for primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary carbons, respectively. The stability and prediction capacity for external samples of four models have been tested by cross-validation.

Metal salts with highly electronegative cations as efficient catalysts for the liquid-phase nitration of benzene by NO2 to nitrobenzene

Metal salts with highly electronegative cations have been used to effectively catalyze the liquid-phase nitration of benzene by NO2 to nitrobenzene under solventfree conditions. Several salts including FeCl3, ZrCl4, AlCl3, CuCl2, NiCl2, ZnCl2, MnCl2, Fe（NO3）3-9H2O, Bi （NO3）3·5H2O, Zr（NO3）4-SH2O, Cu（NO3）2.6H2O, Ni （NO3）2·6H2O, Zn（NO3）2·6H2O, Fe2（SO4）3, and CuSO4 were examined and anhydrous FeCl3 exhibited the best catalytic performance under the optimal reaction conditions. The benzene conversion and selectivity to nitrobenzene were both over 99%. In addition, it was determined that the metal counterion and the presence of water hydrates in the salt affects the catalytic activity. This method is simple and efficient and may have potential industrial application prospects.

Tailoring MXene Thickness and Functionalization for Enhanced Room‑Temperature Trace NO_(2) Sensing

In this study,precise control over the thickness and termination of Ti3C2TX MXene flakes is achieved to enhance their electrical properties,environmental stability,and gas-sensing performance.Utilizing a hybrid method involving high-pressure processing,stirring,and immiscible solutions,sub-100 nm MXene flake thickness is achieved within the MXene film on the Si-wafer.Functionalization control is achieved by defunctionalizing MXene at 650℃ under vacuum and H2 gas in a CVD furnace,followed by refunctionalization with iodine and bromine vaporization from a bubbler attached to the CVD.Notably,the introduction of iodine,which has a larger atomic size,lower electronegativity,reduce shielding effect,and lower hydrophilicity(contact angle:99°),profoundly affecting MXene.It improves the surface area(36.2 cm^(2) g^(-1)),oxidation stability in aqueous/ambient environments(21 days/80 days),and film conductivity(749 S m^(-1)).Additionally,it significantly enhances the gas-sensing performance,including the sensitivity(0.1119Ωppm^(-1)),response(0.2% and 23%to 50 ppb and 200 ppm NO_(2)),and response/recovery times(90/100 s).The reduced shielding effect of the–I-terminals and the metallic characteristics of MXene enhance the selectivity of I-MXene toward NO2.This approach paves the way for the development of stable and high-performance gas-sensing two-dimensional materials with promising prospects for future studies.

Equalized Electronegativity Based on the Valence Electrons and Its Application

We take the contribution of all valence electrons into consideration and propose a new valence electrons equilibration method to calculate the equalized electronegativity including molecular electronegativity, group electronegativity, and atomic charge. The ionization potential of alkanes and mono-substituted alkanes, the chemical shift of 1H NMR, and the gas phase proton affinity of aliphatic amines, alcohols, and ethers were estimated. All the expressions have good correlations. Moreover, the Sanderson method and Bratsch method were modified on the basis of the valence electrons equilibration theory. The modified Sanderson method and modified Bratsch method are more effective than their original methods to estimate these properties.

Discharge Characteristics of SF_6 in a Non-Uniform Electric Field Under Repetitive Nanosecond Pulses

The characteristics of high pressure sulphur hexafluoride（SF6） discharges in a highly non-uniform electric field under repetitive nanosecond pulses are investigated in this paper.The influencing factors on discharge process,such as gas pressure,pulse repetition frequency（PRF）,and number of applied pulses,are analyzed.Experimental results show that the corona intensity weakens with the increase of gas pressure and strengthens with the increase of PRF or number of applied pulses.Spark discharge images suggest that a shorter and thicker discharge plasma channel will lead to a larger discharge current.The number of applied pulses to breakdown descends with the increase of PRF and ascends with the rise of gas pressure.The reduced electric field（E/p） decreases with the increase of PRF in all circumstances.The experimental results provide significant supplements to the dielectric characteristics of strongly electronegative gases under repetitive nanosecond pulses.

Characteristics of Dust Plasma Sheath in an Oblique Magnetic Field

The characteristics of dust plasma sheath in an oblique magnetic field are investigated with a fluid model. Hot electrons, cold ions, neutral particles, and dust grains are taken into account in this system. We perform a numerical simulation of the sheath. The results reveal that the magnetic field has significant effects on the sheath structure, and it also makes the suspension position of dust shift away from the wall.

Laser induced photo-detachment of O2 in DC discharge

Determination of the negative ion number density of O2 and O in a DC discharge of oxygen plasma was made employing Langmuir probe in conjunction with eclipse laser photo- detachment technique. The temporal evolution of the extra electrons resulting from the photo- detachment of O2- and O- were used to evaluate the negative ion number density. The ratio of O2 number density to O varied from 0.03 to 0.22. Number density of both O~ and O increased with increasing power and decreased as the pressure was increased. Electron number density was evaluated from the electron energy distribution function （EEDF） using the I-V recorded characteristic curves. Electron temperature between 2 and 2.7 eV were obtained. Influence of the 02（al△g） metastable state is discussed.

Study of a collisionless magnetized plasma sheath with nonextensively distributed species

A weakly magnetized sheath for a collisionless, electronegative plasma comprising positive ions,electrons, and negative ions is investigated numerically using the fluid approach. The electrons are considered to be non-Maxwellian in nature and are described by Tsalli's distribution. Such electrons have a substantial effect on the sheath properties. The study also reveals that non-Maxwellian distribution is the most realistic description for negative ions in the presence of an oblique magnetic field. In addition to the negative ion temperature, the sheath potential is also affected by the nonextensive parameters. The present research finds application in the plasma processing and semiconductor industry as well as in space plasmas.

The Electronegativity Analysis of c-C_4F_8 as a Potential Insulation Substitute of SF_6

The density distributions related to gas electronegativity for c-C4Fs gas, including negative ion, electron number and electron energy densities in the discharge process, are derived theoretically in both plane-to-plane and point-to-plane electrode geometries. These calculations have been performed through the Boltzmann equation in the condition of a steady-state Townsend （SST） experiment and a fluid model in the condition of both uniform and non-uniform electric fields. The electronegativity coefficients a = n-/ne of c-C4Fs and SF6 are compared to further describe the electron affinity of c-C4Fs. The result shows that c-C4Fs represents an obvious electron-attachment performance in the discharge process. However, c-C4Fs still has much weaker gas electronegativity than SF6, whose electronegativity coefficient is lower than that of SF6 by at least three orders of magnitude.