Magnetized plasma–wall transition—consequences for wall sputtering and erosion

Abstract

The ion distribution function in front of an absorbing wall is computed using a kinetic model. The ions' energy and angle of impact are of particular importance, as they determine the level of wall erosion and sputtering. Their dependence on the plasma parameters (magnitude and angle of incidence of the magnetic field, ion and electron temperatures, etc) is investigated in detail. We conclude that a magnetic field with grazing incidence and a low electron-to-ion temperature ratio have a beneficial effect, as far as wall erosion and sputtering are concerned.