Electron Space Charge Research Articles

Propagation of nanosecond discharge in an air gap containing a water droplet: modelling and comparison with time-resolved images

The plasma-water interface is a complex medium characterized by interesting physical and chemical phenomena useful for many applications such as water processing or material synthesis. In this context, optimizing the transport of reactive species from plasma to water is crucial, and it may be achieved by increasing the surface-to-volume ratio of the processed object. Herein, we study the characteristics of a streamer produced by nanosecond discharge in air gap with a droplet of deionized water. The discharge is characterized experimentally by electrical measurements as well as by 1 ns-intergated ICCD images. To report plasma properties that are not accessible through experiment, such as the spatio-temporal evolution of electron density, electric field, and space charge density, a 2D fluid model is developed and adapted to the experimental geometry. Due to the fast propagation of the ionization front, the droplet is considered as a solid dielectric. The model solves Poisson’s equation as well as the drift-diffusion equation for electrons, positive ions, and negative ions. The utilized transport coefficients are tabulated as a function of the reduced electric field. Helmholtz equations are also included in the model to account for photoionization. The electron impact ionization source obtained from the model is compared to experimental 1 ns-integrated ICCD images, and a good agreement is observed. Finally, the model is used to investigate the influence of droplet dielectric permittivity and wetting angle (the angle between a liquid surface and a solid surface) on the properties of the discharge. Overall, the data reported herein demonstrate that the model can be used to investigate plasma properties under different conditions.

Electrostatic discharge mechanisms and dynamic characteristics of different polarity powders in the Silo

Electrostatic discharge in powder silos poses a significant safety hazard due to the risk of fire or explosion. However, the underlying discharge mechanisms are not fully understood. This study aims to improve the comprehension of electrostatic discharge dynamics and mechanisms by introducing a fluid discharge model for charged powder silos. The model validation is carried out by examining discharge patterns and electric field variations. The investigation of the electrostatic field and potential distribution prior to discharge helps to comprehend the discharge conditions. The discharge modes and evolution laws of different polarity powders are explored to reveal disparities in discharge phenomena. These disparities are further scrutinized in relation to electron density, space charge, electric field, and potential. To elucidate the discharge mechanism, the electric field distortion caused by space charge, electron existence time, and migration law are analyzed. The electrostatic and diffusion effects are the main reasons for the discharge differences.

Electronic metal-support interaction-induced space charge polarization for boosting photoelectrochemical water splitting

Overcoming the inherent transportation of charge constraint of the photoanode has been critical for seeking feasible photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Here, we propose to utilize electron metal-support interactions (EMSI) between Cu nanoparticles (NPs) and N-C support for modifying the electronic structure of CuNPs-N-C/SnS2 photoanode and analyze the impact of EMSI on the process of PEC water splitting. The combination of detailed theoretical simulation calculations and comprehensive characterizations indicates that the charge imbalance induced by EMSI within the CuNPs-N-C and SnS2 interfaces results in an enhanced interfacial polarized electric field and boosts the separation of photo-induced carriers at the CuNPs-N-C and SnS2 interfaces. The optimal CuNPs-N-C/SnS2 photoanode displays remarkable properties with a considerably upgraded photocurrent of 2.33 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE, which is 6.30 beyond the value of SnS2 (0.37 mA cm−2). This work paves a way to developing high-performance photoanodes for efficient PEC water splitting.

Exploring the fluorescence action spectrum of photosynthesis

The mathematical study of the fluorescence action spectrum of photosynthesis was performed. The calculation of typical spectra for photosynthesis was done for the red and blue frequencies. The transition of the action spectrum of photosynthesis from wavelengths to the frequency scale was completed. A numerical method based on the use of the inverse Fourier transform approach was used to obtain a relaxation curve for the impulse (time) characteristic of fluorescence. It turned out that the radius vector of the module of impulse response in polar coordinates makes one half-turn or half of the period of light oscillations in time. It was established that the optical medium of a plant during the relaxation time has a negative space charge of electrons, inverse properties and properties of the coherent radiation. The condition of neutrality of the material environment is not met. It was found that the ratio of the variable chlorophyll fluorescence for red and blue light has almost the same value. An analysis of the dependence of the quality factor of the chlorophyll spectrum on frequency shows that the fluorescence energy loss in blue light significantly exceeds the energy loss in red light. The proposed method can be used for express analysis of the intensity of photosynthesis. It was also concluded that plants can emit ultra-wideband signals. The relaxation time of chlorophyll fluorescence is shorter than the relaxation time of electronic polarization in atoms (molecules). As a result, a population inversion is created in the optical medium of chlorophyll - there are more atoms in the upper energy level than in the lower level. Due to this, stimulated emission and amplification of light of the radiative recombination occur. In this case, the emission of fluorescence light becomes coherent. All these properties of plants are considered for the first time and have not been described either in domestic or in foreign articles.

Basic algorithm for approximation of the boundary trajectory of short-focus electron beam using the root-polynomial functions of the fourth and fifth order

The new iterative method of approximating the boundary trajectory of a short-focus electron beam propagating in a free drift mode in a low-pressure ionized gas under the condition of compensation of the space charge of electrons is considered and discussed in the article. To solve the given approximation task, the root-polynomial functions of the fourth and fifth order were applied, the main features of which are the ravine character and the presence of one global minimum. As an initial approach to solving the approximation problem, the values of the polynomial coefficients are calculated by solving the interpolation problem. After this, the approximation task is solved iteratively. All necessary polynomial coefficients are calculated multiple times, taking into account the values of the function and its derivative at the reference points. The final values of polynomial coefficients of high-order root-polynomial functions are calculated using the dichotomy method. The article also provides examples of the applying fourth-order and fifth-order root-polynomial functions to approximate sets of numerical data that correspond to the description of ravine functions. The obtained theoretical results are interesting and important for the experts who study the physics of electron beams and design modern industrial electron beam technological equipment.

Synergistic Effect of Electron Scattering and Space Charge Transfer Enabled Unprecedented Room Temperature NO2 Sensing Response of SnO2.

Metal oxide gas sensors have long faced the challenge of low response and poor selectivity, especially at room temperature (RT). Herein, a synergistic effect of electron scattering and space charge transfer is proposed to comprehensively improve gas sensing performance of n-type metal oxides toward oxidizing NO2 (electron acceptor) at RT. To this end, the porous SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) assembled from grains of about 4nm with rich oxygen vacancies are developed through an acetylacetone-assisted solvent evaporation approach combined with precise N2 and air calcinations. The results show that the as-fabricated porous SnO2 NPs sensor exhibits an unprecedented NO2 -sensing performance, including outstanding response (Rg /Ra =772.33 @ 5ppm), fast recovery (<2s), an extremely low detection limit (10ppb), and exceptional selectivity (response ratio>30) at RT. Theoretical calculation and experimental tests confirm that the excellent NO2 sensing performance is mainly attributed to the unique synergistic effect of electron scattering and space charge transfer. This work proposes a useful strategy for developing high-performance RT NO2 sensors using metal oxides, and provides an in-depth understanding for the basic characteristics of the synergistic effect on gas sensing, paving the way for efficient and low power consumption gas detection at RT.

Insight into the dynamic evolution behavior of subsonic streamers in water and their voltage polarity effect

Due to the complex interaction between liquid, gas, and plasma, the pre-breakdown process in water under quasi-static moderate electric fields, namely the development of subsonic streamers, was unclearly understood so far. In this paper, the dynamic evolution behavior of subsonic streamers and their voltage polarity effects were investigated. It was indicated that the whole streamer development process can be divided into two successive stages: bottom-up period characterized by root spherical expansion and OH (309 nm) emission line; top-down period characterized by head burst expansion and Hβ (486 nm), Hα (656 nm), and O (777 nm) emission lines. Further analysis revealed that the magnetic pinch effect on the internal plasma distribution determines the expansion mode of the streamer. The low capture energy of the solvated electron and local space charge accumulation make the positive streamer propagate faster at a low voltage level. However, the limited carrier resource and relatively divergent internal plasma distribution (weak magnetic pinch effect) hinder the propagation acceleration of the positive streamer with the applied voltage. Thus, the voltage polarity effect variation can be observed at high voltage levels. Finally, a novel framework model was proposed to depict the dynamic evolution behavior of subsonic streamers. Our results can provide a deeper insight into the electrohydrodynamics of dielectric fluid and promote the relevant industry applications.

Cross-Filament Stochastic Acceleration of Electrons in Kilojoule Picosecond Laser Interactions with Near-Critical-Density Plasmas

Understanding the interaction of a kilojoule picosecond laser pulse with long-scale-length preplasma or homogeneous near-critical-density (NCD) plasma is crucial for guiding experiments at national short-pulse laser facilities. Using full three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we demonstrate that in this regime, cross-filament stochastic acceleration is an important mechanism that contributes to the production of superponderomotive high-flux electron beams. Since the laser power significantly exceeds the threshold of the relativistic self-focusing, multiple filaments are generated and can propagate independently over a long distance. Electrons jump across the filaments during the acceleration and their motion becomes stochastic. We find that the effective temperature of electrons increases with the total interaction time following a scaling like ${T}_{\mathrm{eff}}\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{i}^{0.65}$. By irradiating a submillimeter-thick NCD target, the space charge of electrons with energy above 2.5 MeV reaches tens of microcoulombs. Such high-flux electrons with superponderomotive energies significantly facilitate applications in high-energy-density science, nuclear science, secondary sources, and diagnostic techniques.

Embedded SiO2 interface in SiCnws/Ba0.75Sr0.25Al2Si2O8 ceramic with enhanced electromagnetic absorption at elevated temperature

For high-temperature electromagnetic absorption materials, higher polarization loss is needed to balance the impedance mismatch due to greater conduction loss at elevated temperatures. Here, a SiO2 interface was introduced into a SiCnws/BSAS ceramic based on wide bandgap and low dielectric constant characteristics of SiO2. The interface structure was tailored by changing the SiO2 content. When the SiO2 content reached 15 vol%, three-phase interlaced interfaces were formed, which produced many nano-heterointerfaces that increased the polarization loss by 77.5 %. The optimized SiCnws/SiO2-BSAS ceramic achieved enhanced electromagnetic absorption from 298 K to 873 K, and its effective absorption bandwidth reached 4.1 GHz at 873 K. The electromagnetic absorption mechanism was analyzed from the perspectives of electron transport and space charges. This heterointerface design strategy provides a new method for the development of high-temperature electromagnetic absorption materials.

On-chip integrated process-programmable sub-10 nm thick molecular devices switching between photomultiplication and memristive behaviour

Molecular devices constructed by sub-10 nm thick molecular layers are promising candidates for a new generation of integratable nanoelectronic applications. Here, we report integrated molecular devices based on ultrathin copper phthalocyanine/fullerene hybrid layers with microtubular soft-contacts, which exhibit process-programmable functionality switching between photomultiplication and memristive behaviour. The local electric field at the interface between the polymer bottom electrode and the enclosed molecular channels modulates the ionic-electronic charge interaction and hence determines the transition of the device function. When ions are not driven into the molecular channels at a low interface electric field, photogenerated holes are trapped as electronic space charges, resulting in photomultiplication with a high external quantum efficiency. Once mobile ions are polarized and accumulated as ionic space charges in the molecular channels at a high interface electric field, the molecular devices show ferroelectric-like memristive switching with remarkable resistive ON/OFF and rectification ratios.

Suppression of parasitic secondary emission in a magnetron-injection gun of a 24-GHz technological gyrotron

This article analyzes the ways of reducing the parasitic emission current in the electron beam formation system of a technological gyrotron. The operation of the magnetron-injection gun in the quasi-critical mode and the profiling of the cathode can significantly reduce the space charge of electrons captured in a magnetic trap between the gun and the entrance to the gyrotron working space. The calculated electron-gun configurations improve the beam quality, especially in the regimes with a high pitch factor.

Simulation of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Generated by Floating-Electrode Dielectric Barrier Pulsed Discharge Used for the Cancer Cell Necrosis

A numerical simulation of a pulsed floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge (FE-DBD) at atmospheric pressure, used for melanoma cancer cell therapy, is performed using a plasma model in COMSOL Multiphysics software. Distributions of electron density, space charge, and electric field are presented at different instants of the pulsed argon discharge. Significant results related to the characteristics of the plasma device used, the inter-electrodes distance, and the power supply are obtained to improve the efficiency of FE-DBD apparatus for melanoma cancer cell treatment. The FE-DBD presents a higher sensitivity to short pulse durations, related to the accumulated charge over the dielectric barrier around the powered electrode. At higher applied voltage, more energy is injected into the discharge channel and an increase in electron density and electric consumed power is noted. Anticancer activity provided by the FE-DBD plasma is improved using a small interelectrode distance with a high electron emission coefficient and a high dielectric constant with a small dielectric thickness, allowing higher electron density, generating reactive species responsible for the apoptosis of tumor cells.

Monoenergetic High-Energy Ion Source via Femtosecond Laser Interacting with a Microtape

Using fully three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we show that readily available femtosecond laser systems can stably generate proton beams with hundred MeV energy and low spread at $\sim1\%$ level by parallel irradiation of a tens of micrometers long plasma plate. As the laser pulse sweeps along the plate, it drags out a huge charge ($\sim$100 nC) of collimated energetic electrons and accelerates them along the plate surface to superponderomotive energies. When this dense electron current arrives at the rear end of the plate, it induces a strong electrostatic field. Due to the excessive space charge of electrons, the longitudinal field becomes bunching while the transverse field is focusing. Together, this leads to a highly monoenergetic energy spectrum and much higher proton energy as compared to simulation results from typical target normal sheath acceleration and radiation pressure acceleration at the same laser parameters.

Low-energy electron ionization mass spectrometer for efficient detection of low mass species

The design of a high-efficiency mass spectrometer is described, aimed at residual gas detection of low mass species using low-energy electron impact, with particular applications in helium atom microscopy and atomic or molecular scattering. The instrument consists of an extended ionization volume, where electrons emitted from a hot filament are confined using a solenoidal magnetic field to give a high ionization probability. Electron space charge is used to confine and extract the gas ions formed, which are then passed through a magnetic sector mass filter before reaching an ion counter. The design and implementation of each of the major components are described in turn, followed by the overall performance of the detector in terms of mass separation, detection efficiency, time response, and background count rates. The linearity of response with emission current and magnetic field is discussed. The detection efficiency for helium is very high, reaching as much as 0.5%, with a time constant of (198 ± 6) ms and a background signal equivalent to an incoming helium flux of (8.7 ± 0.2) × 106 s-1.

Injection of positrons into a dense electron cloud in a magnetic dipole trap

The creation of an electron space charge in a dipole magnetic trap and the subsequent injection of positrons have been experimentally demonstrated. Positrons (5 eV) were magnetically guided from their source and injected into the trapping field generated by a permanent magnet (0.6 T at the poles) using a cross field E × B drift, requiring tailored electrostatic and magnetic fields. The electron cloud is created by thermionic emission from a tungsten filament. The maximum space charge potential of the electron cloud reaches −42 V, which is consistent with an average electron density of (4±2)×1012 m−3 and a Debye length of (2±1) cm. We demonstrate that the presence of this space potential does not hamper efficient positron injection. Understanding the effects of the negative space charge on the injection and confinement of positrons represents an important intermediate step toward the production of a confined electron–positron pair plasma.

Micro gap air discharge based on fractal theory

Micro-gap discharge is a form of gas discharge in which the discharge gap is on the order of sub-millimeters orless. To study the initial path of micro-gap discharge and the mechanism and law of particle density change during discharge, in this paper a micro-gap discharge experiment and discharge image acquisition device under atmospheric pressure is built and the COMSOL simulation software is used to simulate the electron density and space charge in the process of micro-gap air discharge. Furthermore, the MATLAB software is used to calculate the fractal dimension and probability development index of micro-gap discharge. The air discharge phenomena produced by applying positive DC voltage to needle tip at atmospheric pressure and room temperature with gap distance ranging from 50 μm to 150 μm are studied. It is found experimentally that there are twists and turns in the discharge channel, and the number of bifurcations in the discharge process with a short gap is less than that with a long gap. Observation of the micro-gap air discharge process with a gap of 100 μm under atmospheric pressure shows that the discharge process is divided into the following three processes: needle tip corona, corona breakdown streamer, and spark discharge channel. Based on the analyses of these experimental results, it can be concluded that the discharge mechanism follows Thomson's theory, supplemented by the streamer theory. The cathode secondary electron emission (including positive ions colliding with the cathode and photoelectron emission) and the space charge distortion electric field form a secondary electron avalanche to maintain the discharge together. The seed electrons formed by a small amount of space photoionization also form an electron avalanche under the action of the space charge distortion electric field. There are tortuous sections in the discharge channel, but the number of branches is small and the degree of tortuosity is low. Therefore, there are weak streamer forms. The discharge channel is tortuous and branched, but the number of bifurcations is relatively small, and the tortuousness is low. In addition, it is also found that a sheath is formed at the cathode, the distortion of electric field is 3–8 times that of original electric field, and the electron density reaches 2 × 10&lt;sup&gt;21&lt;/sup&gt; m&lt;sup&gt;–3&lt;/sup&gt; during discharge, obtained from the COMSOL simulation. Meanwhile, the fractal theory simulation is used to simulate the micro-gap discharge. In the process of research, the fractal dimension is found to be proportional to the voltage and the gap distance. When the probability development index &lt;i&gt;η&lt;/i&gt; = 1.18–1.3, the fractal dimension of the simulated discharge process is closer to the experimental result. The findings in this paper lay the foundation for further exploring the discharge theory of sub-micro- and nano-scaled gaps.

Effect of electrode temperature on radiofrequency vacuum breakdown characteristics

The results of a numerical simulation of the heating of a microprotrusion on the surface of a copper electrode under the influence of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, performed for different temperatures of the electrode, are presented. The calculation model describes self-consistently the thermal processes in the electron and phonon subsystems, the electron emission, and the effect of the space charge of emitted electrons. It has been shown that when the initial electrode temperature is increased to 1000 K, the time of heating of the surface microprotrusion to a critical temperature decreases by a factor of 1.5–1.9, namely, to values ranging from a few to tens of nanoseconds. This may significantly increase the probability of radiofrequency vacuum breakdown on the surface of the accelerating structure of an electron-positron collider.

Ion source terms effect on collisional plasma sheath characteristics with non-extensively distributed electrons

A one-dimensional fluid model of an unmagnetized collisional plasma sheath consisting of q-non-extensive electrons and singly charged positive ions with finite temperature is developed and presented. The ions are described by the fluid model, which is based on the continuity and momentum equations of ions, while the electrons are considered obeying non-extensive distribution according to the Tsallis statistics. In this work, different ion source terms are used in order to compare their contribution. The modified Bohm sheath criterion is determined for different source terms to specify the ion velocity at sheath entrance. The model equations are solved numerically in the plasma-wall transition region. The effect of ion source terms on the collisional electropositive plasma sheath characteristics such as ion and electron density, electric potential, ion velocity, sheath width and space charge is investigated. The influence of the ionization frequency parameter on the sheath behavior has also been studied. The results obtained show a strong impact of ion source terms on the plasma sheath structure. It is also shown that the ion source terms effect increases significantly when the ionization frequency parameter increases.

An asymptotic preserving well-balanced scheme for the isothermal fluid equations in low-temperature plasmas at low-pressure

We present a novel numerical scheme for the efficient and accurate solution of the isothermal two-fluid (electron + ion) equations coupled to Poisson's equation for low-temperature plasmas at low-pressure. The model considers electrons and ions as separate fluids, comprising the electron inertia and space charge regions. The discretization of this system with standard explicit schemes is constrained by very restrictive time steps and cell sizes related to the resolution of the Debye length, electron plasma frequency, and electron sound waves. Both sheath and electron inertia are fundamental to fully explain the physics in low-pressure and low-temperature plasmas. However, most of the phenomena of interest for fluid models occur at speeds much slower than the electron thermal speed and are quasi-neutral, except in small charged regions. A numerical method that is able to simulate efficiently and accurately all these regimes is a challenge due to the multiscale character of the problem. In this work, we present a scheme based on the Lagrange-projection operator splitting that preserves the asymptotic regime where the plasma is quasi-neutral with massless electrons. As a result, the quasi-neutral regime is treated without the need of an implicit solver nor the resolution of the Debye length and electron plasma frequency. Additionally, the scheme proves to accurately represent the dynamics of the electrons both at low speeds and when the electron speed is comparable to the thermal speed. In addition, a well-balanced treatment of the ion source terms is proposed in order to tackle problems where the ion temperature is very low compared to the electron temperature. The scheme significantly improves the accuracy both in the quasi-neutral limit and in the presence of plasma sheaths when the Debye length is resolved. In order to assess the performance of the scheme in low-temperature plasmas conditions, we propose two specifically designed test-cases: a quasi-neutral two-stream periodic perturbation with analytical solution and a low-temperature discharge that includes sheaths. The numerical strategy, its accuracy, and computational efficiency are assessed on these two discriminating configurations.

Sheath Around a Spherical Probe in a Photoelectron Environment

A model and an experiment are applied to finding the current-voltage characteristics of a spherical probe in vacuum when the sphere emits photoelectrons and there are ambient photoelectrons. An orbit-motion-limited kinetic model is used for each of the two electron populations. Poisson's equation is solved to find the potential profile with and without a potential barrier (virtual cathode) from the electron space charge. The model current-voltage characteristics are compared with data from an experiment. The measured derivative of the probe characteristic does not show the expected effect of the virtual cathode suggesting that the potential minimum is absent in the experiment, perhaps as a consequence of the presence of ions.