MONTE-CARLO SIMULATION OF ELECTRON BEHAVIOR IN A MAGNETIC HOLLOW-CATHODE DISCHARGE

Monte Carlo simulation has been used to investigate electron behaviour in a hollow-cathode discharge. The influences of a longitudinal magnetic field on electron distribution and ionization are included. The results show that the applied magnetic field increases electron density in the negative glow region, and decreases ionization in the discharge centre. On the other hand, the magnetic field remarkably increases the total number of ions in the discharge, especially the number in the neighbourhoods of the cathodes. Analyses of the results and proposals for use of magnetic field in hollow-cathode lasers have been given.