Study on Breakdown Phenomenon of Electrode Induced by High-Energy Protons Bombarding

Abstract

Ion bombardment of electrodes in an electric vacuum device can induce high-voltage breakdown. In order to explain this phenomenon, we, for the first time, analyzed a typical model of protons impacting the electrode with the help of a particle-in-cell (PIC)-direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) code. In this model, we considered both the secondary electron yield and the gas desorption from the electrode. The temporal and spatial distribution evolution of electrons, ions, and neutrals under different electrode conditions is presented. The critical value of local gas density to induce breakdown is 1025 m−3. According to the discussion of the formation of the electrons avalanche, the electron ionizing gas is the key component for affecting the formation of a breakdown, and the production of plasma sheath near the electrode greatly contributes to the electrons avalanche.