Mode transition and nonlinear self-oscillations in the beam-driven collisional discharge plasma

Nonlinear dynamics and self-oscillations in a dc beam-driven collisional discharge are investigated with particle-in-cell simulation and theoretical estimation. Three different modes, anode-glow, temperature-limited, and double-layer modes, are observed in the system. A theory for the critical voltage of mode transition between temperature-limited and anode-glow modes is in good agreement with the simulation results. The mechanism of low frequency self-oscillation in the double layer mode is examined along with period-doubling and chaotic oscillations.