Plasmas de Baixa Temperatura

Objectives

To provide an introduction to the Physics of Low-Temperature Plasmas (LTPs). Students will acquire comprehensive knowledge on - the production of LTPs from gas discharges; - the kinetic (microscopic) and fluid (macroscopic) descriptions of LTPs; - the global analysis of LTPs using discharge models, accounting for their reactivity. The course offers a detailed presentation of the kinetic Boltzmann equation for the electrons, as is commonly used in LTPs, including its mathematical treatment (focusing on the study of the effects produced by the electric field and different types of collisions) and its numerical implementation.

Syllabus

1 – Low-temperature plasmas (LTPs): definition and applications. Basic concepts. Modelsl for describing LTPs. 2 – Production of LTPs from gas discharges. Paschen’s law. Classification of gas discharges. Plasma reactors. Space-charge sheaths. Bohm criterion. 3 – Kinetic (microscopic) description of LTPs. Electron Boltzmann equation. Structure of atoms and molecules: electron- neutral elastic, inelastic and superelastic collisions. Development in spherical harmonics and the small-anisotropy approximation. The electron energy distribution function. Linear and non-linear operators. The Fokker- Planck equation. Numerical solution of the electron Boltzmann equation. 4 – Fluid (macroscopic) description of LTPs. Hydrodynamic equations. Diffusion regimes. Schottky’s condition. 5 – Reactivity in LTPs. Global / collisional- radiative models. Coupling with the electron Boltzmann equation. Discharge characteristics.

Prerequisites

To successfully reach the expected learning outcomes, students should have pre-knowledge of classical mechanics (collision dynamics), thermodynamics, statistical physics, and differential and integral calculus.

Cross Competence Component

Critical and innovative thinking, stimulated through the deployment of strategies to solve extension problems, including a numerical componente and the search for web-based information (10% of the evaluation components).

Programming And Computing Component

Simulations with open-source code from the users' perspective (10% of the evaluation components).

Ethical Principles

All members of a group are responsible for the group’s work In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.