Comparison of collision rates in particle-in-cell, Monte Carlo, and Boltzmann codes

Computational modeling is a key tool for studying collisional plasma discharges, including capacitive, inductive, and dc discharges. This work compares electron-neutral collision rates for a particle-in-cell code, a Monte Carlo code, a convected scheme Boltzmann code, and a spherical harmonic expansion Boltzmann code. In addition, comparisons with swarm experiments are presented where available. The comparison is performed over a range of reduced fields, E/N, appropriate to ac plasma display panels. The background gas is neon, with a simplified set of representative reactions. Ion and space charge effects are neglected.