ABNORMALLY LOW ELECTRON-ENERGY AND HEATING-MODE TRANSITION IN A LOW-PRESSURE ARGON RF DISCHARGE AT 13.56 MHZ

The electron energy distribution function measured with improved energy resolution revealed a large number (90%) of low-energy electrons having an abnormally low electron temperature (T0.3 V) resulting in a considerably lower mean electron energy than found in all published probe measurements in argon rf discharges at 13.56 MHz. With increasing gas pressure an abrupt transition to a high-temperature mode was found. The low-temperature mode and the observed transition are attributed to a change from stochastic to collisional electron heating enhanced by the Ramsauer effect. © 1990 The American Physical Society.