Influence of magnetic field on ionization in low pressure argon plasma

Summary form only given, as follows. This paper presents the results of analytical calculation of an electron energy distribution function and ionization rate for low-pressure argon plasma. The following cases are considered: absence of a magnetic field, strong magnetic field and intermediate cases. It is shown, that at absence of a magnetic field the electron energy distribution function strongly differs from Maxwellian. In case of a strong magnetic field the electron energy distribution function has distribution close to Maxwellian. According to calculation of ionization rate it is shown, that the presence of a magnetic field allows producing argon plasma at essential smaller average energy of electrons, than in absence of a magnetic field. These calculations were performed to describe low-temperature plasma produced in plasma source based on low-pressure arc discharge with a hollow cold cathode.