Numerical Simulation of Two-Dimensional Structure of Glow Discharge in View of the Heating of Neutral Gas

A two-dimensional computer model of glow discharge is given, which takes into account the heating of ambient gas and the external electric circuit. The structure of a glow discharge in molecular nitrogen is investigated numerically in the pressure range from $1$ to $20$ torr at an electric field intensity of up to $4$ kV/cm. The regularities of heating a gas are investigated at different pressures and electric field intensities. It is demonstrated that, at a pressure $p = 1$ torr, a glow discharge burning in the mode of normal density of current assumes a toroidal shape.