First-principles particle simulation and Boltzmann equation analysis of Negative Differential Conductivity and Transient Negative Mobility effects in xenon

The Negative Differential Conductivity and Transient Negative Mobility effects in xenon gas are analyzed by a first-principles particle simulation technique and via an approximate solution of the Boltzmann transport equation (BE). The particle simulation method is devoid of the approximations that are traditionally adopted in the BE solutions in which (i) the distribution function is searched for in a two- term form, (ii) the Coulomb part of the collision integral for the anisotropic part of the distribution function is neglected, (iii) Coulomb collisions are treated as binary events, and (iv) the range of the electron-electron interaction is limited to a cutoff distance. The results obtained from the two methods are, for both effects, in good qualitative agreement, small differences are attributed to the approximations listed above

Fano-like anti-resonances in strongly coupled binary Coulomb systems

Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations of a strongly coupled binary ionic mixture have revealed the appearance of sharp minima in the species resolved dynamical density fluctuation spectra. This phenomenon is reminiscent of the well-known Fano anti-resonance, occurring in various physical processes. We give a theoretical analysis using the Quasi Localized Charge Approximation, and demonstrate that the observed phenomenon in the equilibrium spectrum is a novel manifestation of the Fano mechanism, that occurs at characteristic frequencies of the system different from the conventional classical Fano frequencies

Factorization of 3-point static structure functions in 3D Yukawa liquids

In many-body systems the convolution approximation states that the 3-point static structure function, $S^{(3)}(\textbf{k}_{1},\textbf{k}_{2})$, can approximately be "factorized" in terms of the 2-point counterpart, $S^{(2)}(\textbf{k}_{1})$. We investigate the validity of this approximation in 3-dimensional strongly-coupled Yukawa liquids: the factorization is tested for specific arrangements of the wave vectors $\textbf{k}_{1}$ and $\textbf{k}_{2}$, with molecular dynamics simulations. With the increase of the coupling parameter we find a breakdown of factorization, of which a notable example is the appearance of negative values of $S^{(3)}(\textbf{k}_{1},\textbf{k}_{2})$, whereas the approximate factorized form is restricted to positive values. These negative values -- based on the quadratic Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem -- imply that the quadratic part of the density response of the system changes sign with wave number. Our simulations that incorporate an external potential energy perturbation clearly confirm this behavior

On the self-excitation mechanisms of Plasma Series Resonance oscillations in single- and multi-frequency capacitive discharges

The self-excitation of plasma series resonance (PSR) oscillations is a prominent feature in the current of low pressure capacitive radio frequency (RF) discharges. This resonance leads to high frequency oscillations of the charge in the sheaths and enhances electron heating. Up to now, the phenomenon has only been observed in asymmetric discharges. There, the nonlinearity in the voltage balance, which is necessary for the self-excitation of resonance oscillations with frequencies above the applied frequencies, is caused predominantly by the quadratic contribution to the charge-voltage relation of the plasma sheaths. Using PIC/MCC simulations of single- and multi- frequency capacitive discharges and an equivalent circuit model, we demonstrate that other mechanisms such as a cubic contribution to the charge-voltage relation of the plasma sheaths and the time dependent bulk electron plasma frequency can cause the self-excitation of PSR oscillations, as well. These mechanisms have been neglected in previous models, but are important for the theoretical description of the current in symmetric or weakly asymmetric discharges

Experimental observation and computational analysis of striations in electronegative capacitively coupled radio-frequency plasmas

Self-organized spatial structures in the light emission from the ion-ion capacitive RF plasma of a strongly electronegative gas (CF4) are observed experimentally for the first time. Their formation is analyzed and understood based on particle-based kinetic simulations. These "striations" are found to be generated by the resonance between the driving radio-frequency and the eigenfrequency of the ion-ion plasma (derived from an analytical model) that establishes a modulation of the electric field, the ion densities, as well as the energy gain and loss processes of electrons in the plasma. The growth of the instability is followed by the numerical simulations