Two-dimensional model of orificed micro-hollow cathode discharge for space application
- Department of Physics, Technion, 32000 Haifa (Israel)
- University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-3511 (United States)
In this paper, we describe results of self-consistent two-dimensional (x-z) particle-in-cell simulations, with a Monte Carlo collision model, of an orificed micro-hollow cathode operating in a planar diode geometry. The model includes thermionic electron emission with Schottky effect, secondary electron emission due to cathode bombardment by the plasma ions, several different collision processes, and a non-uniform xenon background gas density in the cathode-anode gap. Simulated results showing behavior of the plasma density, potential distribution, and energy flux towards the hollow cathode and orifice walls, are discussed. In addition, results of simulations showing the effect of different Xe gas pressures, orifice size, and cathode voltage, on operation of the micro-hollow cathode are presented.
- OSTI ID:
- 22220692
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 20, Issue 8; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
The effect of cathode geometry on barium transport in hollow cathode plasmas
Influence of Xe{sub 2}{sup +} ions on the micro-hollow cathode discharge driven by thermionic emission