The Effect of Ionization and Recombination on the Resistivity of a Partially Ionized Plasma in a Magnetic Field

Abstract

The generalized Ohm's law for a partially ionized magnetized plasma composed of ions, electrons and neutral atoms is calculated. The plasma is modelled by a three-fluid treatment, with elastic collisions between all three species, as well as inelastic ionization and recombination collisions being taken into account. Ionization is assumed to be due to electron-atom impacts, and recombination is assumed to be due to three-body electron-electron-atom collisions. The resistivity is calculated, and it is shown that the major effect of ionization and recombination is to reduce the resistivity for currents perpendicular to the magnetic field under typical laboratory conditions. However, this resistivity is still greater than Coulomb resistivity, owing to plasma-neutral gas friction.