Hydrodynamic Theory of Low‐Pressure Multi‐Component Discharges with Neutral Gas Depletion

A hydrodynamic description of a low‐pressure discharge with singly and doubly‐charged positive ions in the high ionization regime is given. Modified hydrodynamic equations are used to include the neutral gas depletion by ionization processes under free‐flight conditions. Analytical formulas for the concentrations of the two species of ions at the discharge axis are derived. Numerical results for the radial drift velocities, the radial distributions of the densities and the neutral gas temperature are presented. The nature of the dip in the density profile of the singly‐charged ions and the decrease in their radial drift velocity near the axis with increasing degree of ionization are discussed.