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Electron{endash}anode interactions in particle-in-cell simulations of applied-B ion diodes

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.873576· OSTI ID:357608
; ; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 (United States)

Particle-in-cell simulations of applied-B ion diodes using the QUICKSILVER code [D. B. Seidel {ital et al.}, in {ital Proceedings of the Europhysics Conference on Computational Physics}, Amsterdam, 1990, edited by A. Tenner (World Scientific, Singapore, 1991), p. 475] have been augmented with Monte Carlo calculations of electron{endash}anode interactions (reflection and energy deposition). Extraction diode simulations demonstrate a link between the instability evolution and increased electron loss and anode heating. Simulations of radial and extraction ion diodes show spatial nonuniformity in the predicted electron loss profile leading to hot spots on the anode that rapidly exceed the 350&hthinsp;{degree}C{endash}450&hthinsp;{degree}C range, known to be sufficient for plasma formation on electron-bombarded surfaces. Thermal desorption calculations indicate complete desorption of contaminants with 15{endash}20 kcal/mole binding energies in high-dose regions of the anode during the power pulse. Comparisons of parasitic ion emission simulations and experiment show agreement in some aspects, but also highlight the need for better ion source, plasma, and neutral gas models. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}

OSTI ID:
357608
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 6; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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