Probe measurements of the electron distribution function in an electron-beam-produced ytterbium plasma

A nonequilibrium anisotropic plasma produced by an electron beam in the residual air with a low content of ytterbium vapor was investigated by the probe method. It is found that a minor (at a level of a few ppm) admixture of ytterbium to low-pressure air substantially modifies the electron energy distribution function (EEDF): the main peak corresponding to thermal electrons broadens, and new peaks appear. It is shown that the observed change in the EEDF is caused by the low ionization energy of ytterbium, due to which one beam electron can ionize several ytterbium atoms. The new peaks in the EEDF correspond to the final energies of a beam electron after each subsequent ionizing collision with ytterbium atoms.