Effect of shape and asymmetry of the voltage pulse on plasma sheath dynamics

Abstract

In this paper, using particle-in-cell simulations and considering two symmetric voltage pulses with linear and exponential ramps, it is investigated how the voltage pulse shape affects the pulsed plasma sheath dynamics. Results show the formation, expansion, and shrinking of the sheath as well as the importance of the pulse shape in determining the sheath characteristics. The asymmetry effect of the pulse shape on the sheath evolution is also discussed. The ion kinetic energy and current density at the cathode surface are calculated. It is shown that the voltage change rate plays a significant role to determine the ion current density.