Numerical simulation of a cascaded arc source with different Ar–H2 mixtures of nonlocal thermal equilibrium plasmas

Abstract

Cascaded arc of Pilot-PSI is modeled using numerical simulation code PLASIMO [G. M. Janssen, Ph.D. thesis, Eindhoven University of Technology (2000), http://plasimo.phys.tue.nl]. Pilot-PSI is a linear device used to produce a high density plasma column for the study of plasma surface interaction processes. In this modeling effort nonlocal thermal equilibrium plasma of Ar–H2 mixture is used. The purpose of these simulations is to optimize the cascaded arc for a higher yield of H+ ions and to investigate the role of Ar–H2 mixture ratios. The associative charge exchange reaction followed by dissociative recombination plays a very important role in the dissociation of H2 molecules and as a consequence the yield of H+ increases and of Ar+ decreases. The Ar+ density also decreases in the arc when H2 concentration is increased beyond certain value. With a mixture of 2.5 standard liters per minute Ar and 0.5 SLM H2 the H+ ion flux exceeds the flux obtained in pure H2 gas, at a reduced expenditure of energy per ion.