S-, P- and R-striations as attractors for electron phase trajectories in spatially periodic resonance fields

Abstract A new point of view on the appearance of S-, P- and R-striations in a positive column of inert gases is proposed, based on a dynamic analysis of the resonance properties of electron phase trajectories in spatially periodic fields. The positive column may be considered as a resonator containing a set of resonant modes. Like a tuning fork, being disturbed, it responds with one of the modes, in particular with of S-, P-, or R-modes or striations, depending on the discharge conditions. The dynamic approach eliminates the difficulties of the kinetic theory associated with the long length of the solution of Boltzmann equation, which is much greater than the length of the positive column.