Ion Behavior in Electric Field

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of ions and electrons in an electric field created by two plates. When a gas is ionized, positive ions drift toward the negative plate while electrons move to the positive plate, leading to a reduction in charge unless a power source maintains current. The participants explore methods to create ions and separate them from electrons without allowing neutralization, emphasizing the role of electric potential and sparks in ion generation. The challenges of maintaining ion separation in a chamber while preventing neutralization and spark formation are also highlighted.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ionization processes in gases
  • Familiarity with electric fields and their effects on charged particles
  • Knowledge of electric potential and discharge phenomena
  • Basic principles of ion traps and magnetic fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods for field ionization without sparks
  • Explore designs for ion chambers that prevent neutralization
  • Investigate the use of electric fields in ion separation techniques
  • Learn about the principles and applications of ion traps in varying pressure environments
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, electrical engineers, and researchers in plasma physics or ionization processes who are interested in the manipulation of charged particles in electric fields.

Misha Kuznetsov
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If a gas is ionized using a sufficiently strong electric field (created by two plates, and where the gas is the medium in between), the positive ions would drift toward one plate while the electrons would be attracted to the other. What would happen when the electrons and ions reach the corresponding plates. Would the electrons be absorbed by the positive one and the ions neutralize at the negative one?

-Misha
 
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Yes.
This reduces the charge of the plates a bit, unless you have some power source connected (then you get a small current).
 
Okay. Is there a way to create the ions, and then to separate the electrons and ions by using an electric field, but without letting the ions neutralize?

Also, when a discharge occurs, is it the electric potential that creates ions or the actual spark?
 
You can have a hole in the cathode to allow some ions to shoot through. Will be tricky with vacuum and other issues. What do you want to do?

Misha Kuznetsov said:
Also, when a discharge occurs, is it the electric potential that creates ions or the actual spark?
You can have field ionization without sparks, but sparks are very effective at creating ions as well.
 
I want to make ions in a chamber. Then remove the electrons somehow, I was thinking that I could just have a positively charged plate to absorb them. The ions would repel one another and the pressure in the chamber would increase. So I don't think having a hole in the cathode would work very well for that.

The problem I'm having is that I can't let the ions neutralize, yet I can't use a barrier that would prevent a spark.
 
There are ion traps, but they work with magnetic fields and the pressure is tiny compared to atmospheric pressure.
 

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