Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 January 1997
The two-dimensional spatial and temporal evolution of the components of a plasma surrounding an electrode whose potential is suddenly decreased is investigated numerically. The electrode contains a localized convex or a localized concave voltage perturbation. The quasineutral plasma consists of positive ions and various proportions of negative ions and electrons. The results are compared and contrasted with those obtained with a uniform electrode under identical plasma conditions.