Characterization of a spherical probe in gas at rest upon ionization of alkali metals: The nonisothermal case

The characteristics of a spherical probe have been calculated in collisional plasma at rest where the ionization of atoms of an alkali additive and recombination of generated charged particles with consideration for the instability of plasma temperature around the probe occur. The results evidence a strong reduction of the probe current and impairment of agreement between the probe and the spectral measurements of concentration of charged particles. It is concluded that it is necessary to analyze the detailed chemical kinetics of the multicomponent gaseous mixture around the probe.