Plasma Simulation and Modeling of Pseudospark Discharge for High Density and Energetic Electron Beam Generation

Abstract

In this paper simulation analysis of the pseudospark discharge (PSD) has been carried out for the generation of high density and energetic electron beams from single to multi-gap PSD configurations using plasma simulation code OOPIC PRO. The generated e-beams are strongly influenced by the operating and geometrical parameters, such as, gas pressures (20–80 Pa), electrode apertures (2–10 mm), number of gaps (1–4), trigger energy (1–4 kV) and applied voltage (10–40kV). The generated e-beam currents decrease with the increase in electrode apertures while increase with increase in gas pressures. Detailed consideration is required for choosing suitable trigger energy to operate at higher gas pressures and lower cathode apertures in the multi-gap PSD arrangement. It has been observed that there is decrease in the breakdown voltage for increasing gas pressures and electrode apertures. The potential distribution in the PSD source has vital role for confinement of the plasma and generation of high density and energetic e-beams of different peak currents and sizes.