Plasma Ionization in Low-Pressure Radio-Frequency Discharges. Part I: Optical Measurements

The electron dynamics in the low-pressure operation regime (<5 Pa) of a neon capacitively coupled plasma is investigated using phase-resolved optical emission spectroscopy. Plasma ionization and sustainment mechanisms are governed by the expanding and contracting sheath and complex wave-particle interactions. Electrons are energized through the advancing and retreating electric field of the RF sheath. The associated interaction of energetic sheath electrons with thermal bulk plasma electrons drives a two-stream instability also dissipating power in the plasma.