Kinetic Plasma Model Research Articles

A kinetic model for investigating the dielectric properties of rocket exhaust dusty plasmas

The electron kinetic model of rocket exhaust dusty plasma is developed based on the Boltzmann equation. Additional electron-dust elastic and inelastic collision processes are included in the kinetic equation except for the electron-neutral collisions. The dust surface potential and electron density are calculated according to the dust charging balance equation and the quasineutrality condition. The electron energy distribution function (EEDF) is calculated by solving the kinetic equation numerically. It shows that the obtained EEDF results for different dust densities deviate from the Maxwellian distribution obviously. In addition, the dielectric properties of rocket exhausts based on the obtained non-Maxwellian EEDFs are analyzed for different dust and plasma parameters. It is shown that the relative permittivity based on the EEDFs obtained from the kinetic model is larger than that based on Maxwellian distribution, while for the conductivity and attenuation constant, they become smaller. As for the influence of dust particles on the dielectric properties, a high ratio of dust and neutral density (10−9) leads to a smaller absolute value of relative permittivity, electrical conductivity, and attenuation constant for both Maxwellian distribution and EEDF obtained from the kinetic model. When the ratio is low (10−10), the dust particles almost have no influence on the dielectric properties. Meanwhile, it can be seen that the existence of dust particles makes the difference in dielectric properties obtained from the calculated EEDFs and Maxwellian distribution smaller.

AlN Etching under ICP Cl2/BCl3/Ar Plasma Mixture: Experimental Characterization and Plasma Kinetic Model

AbstractAlN etching with chloride plasmas is studied. The experimental results show that the etching of AlN under a low pressure Cl2/Ar plasma mixture in moderate DC bias is not possible. The addition of BCl3 gas to Cl2/Ar mixture allows the etching of AlN materials. However the obtained properties of etched AlN is still not in conformity with the technological specification especially for the condition which the etched AlN must be kept only along the sidewall of the InP laser cavity and be removed elsewhere (selective etching). To know more about the effect of the BCl3 addition to the Cl2/Ar plasma mixture, global model of BCl3/Cl2/Ar is developed to quantify the neutral and ion densities as well as the electron density and temperature. The simulation results show that the electron density and low pressure linearly varies with the RF power. The negative ion density decreases with the percentage of BCl3 leading to the diminution of the electronegativity which is represented by negative ion to electron density ratio. The simulation shows that the positive ion to atomic chlorine flux ratio increases with the %BCl3. Such parameters could play an important role in the ion neutral synergy during the etching process.

Numerical Simulation of Plasma Kinetics in a Low-Pressure Inductively Coupled Discharge in Argon and Mercury Mixtures

This paper deals with a model that simulates an electrodeless lamp with argon/mercury chemistry. The plasma kinetics model equations were solved using COMSOL (multiphysics simulation software) with appropriate boundary conditions. The numerical modeling of inductively coupled plasma is of crucial importance to understand the behavior of different physical quantities that characterize the ionized gasses such as electrical parameters. The electric and magnetic fields were handled by the electromagnetic model using the multiturn coil method. Results are in fairly good agreement with the experimental data from the literature and fit well with the expected physics of the discharge plasma.

Dose-Response-Time Data Analysis: An Underexploited Trinity.

The most common approach to in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses involves sequential analysis of the plasma concentration- and response-time data, such that the plasma kinetic model provides an independent function, driving the dynamics. However, in situations when plasma sampling may jeopardize the effect measurements or is scarce, nonexistent, or unlinked to the effect (e.g., in intensive care units, pediatric or frail elderly populations, or drug discovery), focusing on the response-time course alone may be an adequate alternative for pharmacodynamic analyses. Response-time data inherently contain useful information about the turnover characteristics of response (target turnover rate, half-life of response), as well as the drug's biophase kinetics (biophase availability, absorption half-life, and disposition half-life) pharmacodynamic properties (potency, efficacy). The use of pharmacodynamic time-response data circumvents the need for a direct assay method for the drug and has the additional advantage of being applicable to cases of local drug administration close to its intended targets in the immediate vicinity of target, or when target precedes systemic plasma concentrations. This review exemplifies the potential of biophase functions in pharmacodynamic analyses in both preclinical and clinical studies, with the purpose of characterizing response data and optimizing subsequent study protocols. This article illustrates crucial determinants to the success of modeling dose-response-time (DRT) data, such as the dose selection, repeated dosing, and different input rates and routes. Finally, a literature search was also performed to gauge how frequently this technique has been applied in preclinical and clinical studies. This review highlights situations in which DRT should be carefully scrutinized and discusses future perspectives of the field.

PolyPIC: The Polymorphic-Particle-in-Cell Method for Fluid-Kinetic Coupling

Particle-in-Cell (PIC) methods are widely used computational tools for fluid and kinetic plasma modeling. While both the fluid and kinetic PIC approaches have been successfully used to target either kinetic or fluid simulations, little was done to combine fluid and kinetic particles under the same PIC framework. This work addresses this issue by proposing a new PIC method, PolyPIC, that uses polymorphic computational particles. In this numerical scheme, particles can be either kinetic or fluid, and fluid particles can become kinetic when necessary, e.g. particles undergoing a strong acceleration. We design and implement the PolyPIC method, and test it against the Landau damping of Langmuir and ion acoustic waves, two stream instability and sheath formation. We unify the fluid and kinetic PIC methods under one common framework comprising both fluid and kinetic particles, providing a tool for adaptive fluid-kinetic coupling in plasma simulations.

The Role of Atomic Oxygen and Ozone in the Plasma and Post-plasma Catalytic Removal of N2O

The destruction of nitrous oxide in oxygen using plasma and post-plasma catalytic treatments was investigated experimentally in atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier (DBD) and gliding arc (GAD) discharges. In the DBD, ~ 7% of the N2O is destroyed with ~ 70% selectivity to NOx whereas the GAD gives rise to greater conversion (~ 23%) with lower NOx selectivity (~ 30%). A gas-phase plasma kinetic model was developed and used to analyse the chemical reaction pathways involved in the plasma environment: in the room temperature DBD, the primary destruction process is reaction with O(1D), with the branching ratio to form 2NO versus N2 + O2 determining the product selectivity. On the other hand, in the hot GAD environment (~ 900 K), the reaction of ground-state O with N2O to form N2 + O2 becomes more important. The use of a catalytic bed after the DBD reactor resulted in significant enhancement of N2O conversion from 6.8 to 28.0%. A surface mechanism for the catalytic dissociation of N2O in the presence of O3 is proposed, whereby N2O reacts with the adsorbed atomic oxygen, released from ozone dissociation, to form N2 and NO in approximately equal proportions.

Electric field determination in air plasmas from intensity ratio of nitrogen spectral bands: I. Sensitivity analysis and uncertainty quantification of dominant processes

The ratio of the spectral band intensities of the first negative and second positive spectral systems of molecular nitrogen is a well recognized method for indirect determination of the electric field. It is applied for various plasmas, e.g. barrier and corona discharges for industrial applications or geophysical plasmas occurring in the Earth’s atmosphere. The method relies on the dependence of the intensity ratio R(E/N) of selected bands on the reduced electric field strength. Both experimental and theoretical approaches have been used to determine this dependence, yet there still is a rather large spread in the data available in literature. The primary aim of this work is to quantify the overall uncertainty of the theoretical R(E/N) dependence and identify the main sources of this uncertainty. As the first step we perform sensitivity analysis on a full N2/O2 plasma kinetics model to find a minimal set of processes that are influential for the R(E/N) dependence. It is found to be in agreement with simplified kinetic models generally used. Subsequently, we utilize Monte Carlo-based uncertainty quantification to provide a confidence band for the electric field obtained from the theoretical R(E/N) dependence. Finally, subsequent steps are proposed to significantly reduce the uncertainty of the method.

Consequences Of Environmental Factors In Plasma Treatment Of Liquids, Tissues And Materials

The approved use of atmospheric pressure plasma sources in treatment of biological materials has as one consideration the ability to reproduce the procedure. In this context, the environment in which the plasma source is operated is a factor. Environment is used here in the most general way to refer to all components surrounding or interacting with the plasma source that may affect the dose delivered to the biological material. These components may include the physical electrical layout of the procedure (e.g., location of electrical ground planes, permittivity of the material being treated), pulse-power protocol, humidity or aerosol content of the surrounding air, alignment of the plasma source, porosity of the material being treated, or depth of the well-plate for in-vitro studies. In this paper, results from computational investigations will be discussed that address the consequences of environmental factors in consistency of treatment of biological materials by plasma jets and dielectric barrier discharges. The computational platforms used in this investigation are nonPDPSIM, a 2-dimensional plasma hydrodynamics model and Global_Kin, a 0-dimensional plasma kinetics model. Emphasis will be on plasma activation of liquids, aerosols or liquid covered materials, and treatment of non-planar or porous materials, including the physical layout of in-vitro studies.

Investigation of nanosecond-pulsed dielectric barrier discharge actuators with powered electrodes of different exposures

Nanosecond-pulsed dielectric barrier discharge actuators with powered electrodes of different exposures were investigated numerically by using a newly proposed plasma kinetic model. The governing equations include the coupled continuity plasma discharge equation, drift-diffusion equation, electron energy equation, Poisson’s equation, and the Navier–Stokes equations. Powered electrodes of three different exposures were simulated to understand the effect of surface exposure on plasma discharge and surrounding flow field. Our study showed that the fully exposed powered electrode resulted in earlier reduced electric field breakdown and more intensive discharge characteristics than partially exposed and rounded-exposed ones. Our study also showed that the reduced electric field and heat release concentrated near the right upper tip of the powered electrode. The fully exposed electrode also led to stronger shock wave, higher heating temperature, and larger heated area.

Reduced-order kinetic plasma models using principal component analysis: Model formulation and manifold sensitivity

Principal component analysis (PCA), developed for combustion applications, is applied to a collisional-radiative two-temperature model for argon plasma, reducing the kinetic system significantly while keeping detailed physics.

Elementary Processes and Kinetic Modeling for Hydrogen and Helium Plasmas

We report cross-sections and rate coefficients for excited states colliding with electrons, heavy particles and walls useful for the description of H 2 /He plasma kinetics under different conditions. In particular, the role of the rotational states in resonant vibrational excitations of the H 2 molecule by electron impact and the calculation of the related cross-sections are illustrated. The theoretical determination of the cross-section for the rovibrational energy exchange and dissociation of H 2 molecule, induced by He atom impact, by using the quasi-classical trajectory method is discussed. Recombination probabilities of H atoms on tungsten and graphite, relevant for the determination of the nascent vibrational distribution, are also presented. An example of a state-to-state plasma kinetic model for the description of shock waves operating in H 2 and He-H 2 mixtures is presented, emphasizing also the role of electronically-excited states in affecting the electron energy distribution function of free electrons. Finally, the thermodynamic properties and the electrical conductivity of non-ideal, high-density hydrogen plasma are finally discussed, in particular focusing on the pressure ionization phenomenon in high-pressure high-temperature plasmas.

Multiscale approach for simulation of silicon etching using SF6/C4F8 Bosch process

This study is dedicated to the development of a multiscale approach for the simulation of silicon etching using the Bosch process. The etching simulator is composed of three modules: plasma kinetic model, sheath model, and surface model. The top down connection of these three modules allows us to track the etch profile evolution through the mask versus the reactor parameters. Complex reaction schemes are used for both SF6 and C4F8 plasmas to quantify the neutral and ion species densities and fluxes. For the SF6 plasma used in the etching cycle and in our pressure and power ranges, the fluorine flux is still preponderant compared to the positive ion flux, indicating that the silicon etching is mainly ensured by the chemical processes. For the C4F8 plasma used in the deposition cycle, the simulation results reveal that CFx species are preponderant in comparison with atomic fluorine, confirming that, in our operating conditions, CFx species promote the deposition of a polymer layer instead of the chemical etching by fluorine F. Plasma parameters in terms of the reactive neutral and ion fluxes and sheath parameters in terms of ion energy distribution functions are used in the surface model to track the etch profile evolution. The duty cycle corresponding to the SF6 to C4F8 plasma pulse ratio is a crucial parameter in controlling the Bosch process performances in terms of the etch rate, anisotropy, and scalloping defect development. A parametric study is performed to show the role of the duty cycle in the etch anisotropy and the scalloping propagation along the sidewall. While the scalloping defect is more important when the duty cycle is higher, the diminution of this parameter may reduce the global etch rate of silicon.

Comparison of linear modes in kinetic plasma models

We compare, in an extensive and systematic way, linear theory results obtained with the hybrid (ion kinetic and electron fluid), the gyrokinetic and the fully kinetic plasma models. We present a test case with parameters that are relevant for solar wind turbulence at small scales, which is a topic now recognized to need a kinetic treatment, to a certain extent. We comment on the comparison of low-frequency single modes (Alfvén/ion-cyclotron, ion-acoustic and fast modes) for a wide range of propagation angles, and on the overall spectral properties of the linear operators, for quasi-perpendicular propagation. The methodology and the results presented in this paper will be valuable when choosing which model should be used in regimes where the assumptions of each model are not trivially satisfied.

Finite-dimensional collisionless kinetic theory

A collisionless kinetic plasma model may often be cast as an infinite-dimensional noncanonical Hamiltonian system. I show that, when this is the case, the model can be discretized in space and particles while preserving its Hamiltonian structure, thereby producing a finite-dimensional Hamiltonian system that approximates the original kinetic model. I apply the general theory to two example systems: the relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell system with spin and a gyrokinetic Vlasov-Maxwell system.

Modeling and simulation of plasma gas flow driven by a single nanosecond-pulsed dielectric barrier discharge

A simplified (7 species and 9 processes) plasma kinetic model is proposed to investigate the mechanism of the plasma aerodynamic actuation driven by nanosecond-pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (NS-DBD). The governing equations include conservation equations for each species, the Poisson equation for the electric potential, and Navier-Stokes equations for the gas dynamic flow. Numerical simulations of plasma discharge and flow actuation on NS-DBD plasma actuators have been carried out. Key discharge characteristics and the responses of the quiescent air were reproduced and compared to those obtained in experiments and numerical simulations. Results demonstrate that the reduced plasma kinetic model is able to capture the dominant species and reactions to predict the actuation in complicated hydrodynamics. For the one-dimensional planar and two-dimensional symmetric NS-DBD, the forming of the sheath collapse is mainly due to the charge accumulation and secondary emission from the grounded electrode. Rapid species number density rise and electric field drop occur at the edge of the plasma sheath, where the space charge density gradient peaks. For the aerodynamic actuation with typical asymmetry electrodes, discharge characteristics have a core area on the right edge of the upper electrode, where the value can be much higher. The formation and propagation of the compression waves generated through rapid heating have also been performed and compared to those measured in a recent experiment. Energy release leads to gas expansion and forms a cylindrical shock wave, centering at the upper electrode tip with low gas acceleration. For the present single pulsed 12 kV case, the mean temperature of gas heating reaches about 575 K at 1 μs and decreases to about 460 K at 10 μs.

Three-dimensional scrape off layer transport in the helically symmetric experiment HSX

The edge topology of helically symmetric experiment (HSX) in the quasi-helically symmetric configuration is characterized by an 8/7 magnetic island remnant embedded in a short connection length scrape-off layer (SOL) domain. A 2D mapping of edge plasma profiles within this heterogeneous SOL has been constructed using a movable, multi-pin Langmuir probe. Comparisons of these measurements to edge simulations using the EMC3-EIRENE 3D plasma fluid and kinetic neutral gas transport model have been performed. The measurements provide strong evidence that particle transport is diffusive within the island region and dominantly convective in the SOL region. Measurements indicate that phenomenological cross-field diffusion coefficients are low in the SOL region between the last closed flux surface and edge island (i.e. m2 s−1). This level of transport was found to increase by a factor of two when a limiter is inserted almost completely into the magnetic island. A reduction in gradients of the edge electrostatic plasma potential was also measured in this configuration, suggesting that the reduced electric field may be linked to the increased cross-field transport observed.

Eigenvalue Solver for Fluid and Kinetic Plasma Models in Arbitrary Magnetic Topology

AbstractArbiTER (Arbitrary Topology Equation Reader) is a new code for solving linear eigenvalue problems arising from a broad range of physics and geometry models. The primary application area envisioned is boundary plasma physics in magnetic confinement devices; however ArbiTER should be applicable to other science and engineering fields as well. The code permits a variable numbers of dimensions, making possible application to both fluid and kinetic models. The use of specialized equation and topology parsers permits a high degree of flexibility in specifying the physics and geometry.

Kinetic effects of nanosecond discharge on ignition delay time

The effects of nanosecond discharge on ignition characteristics of a stoichiometric methane–air mixture without inert diluent gas were studied by numerical simulation at 0.1MPa and an initial temperature of 1300K. A modified non-equilibrium plasma kinetic model was developed to simulate the temporal evolution of particles produced during nanosecond discharge and its afterglow. As important roles in ignition, path fluxes of O and H radicals were analyzed in detail. Different strength of E/N and different discharge duration were applied to the discharge process in this study. And the results presented that a deposited energy of 1–30mJ·cm−3 could dramatically reduce the ignition delay time. Furthermore, temperature and radicals analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of non-equilibrium plasma on production of intermediate radicals. Finally, sensitivity analysis was employed to have further understanding on ignition chemistries of the mixture under nanosecond discharge.

Low pressure microplasmas enabled by field ionization: Kinetic modeling

A principle of microplasma generation that utilizes field emission of electrons at the cathode and field ionization producing ions at the anode, both processes relying on nanorods or nanotubes, is explored theoretically. In this plasma generation concept, collisional ionization of atoms and molecules by electron impact would play a negligible role. Analytical estimates as well as plasma kinetic modeling by particle-in-cell method with Monte Carlo collisions in argon confirm that this principle can enable substantial plasma densities at near-collisionless microgaps, while requiring relatively low voltages, less than 100 V. An order of magnitude increase in electron number density can be achieved due to enhancement of field emission at the cathode by positive space charge at high field ionization ion current densities.

Nonthermal Plasma System for Marine Diesel Engine Emission Control

A nonthermal plasma reactor (NTPR) using two 2.45-GHz microwave (MW) generators for the abatement of nitrogen oxides ( ${\text {NO}}_{\text {x}}$ ) and sulfur ( ${\text {SO}}_{\text {x}}$ ) contained in the exhaust gas of a 200-kW marine diesel engine was built and tested. Numerical analysis based on a nonthermal plasma kinetics model for the abatement of ${\text {NO}}_{\text{x}}$ and ${\text{SO}}_{\text{x}}$ from marine diesel engine exhaust gas was performed. A generic kinetic model that implements electron collisions and plasma chemistry has been developed for applications involving low-temperature (50–100 K) nonthermal plasma. Abatement efficiencies of ${\text {NO}}_{\text{x}}$ and ${\text {SO}}_{\text{x}}$ were investigated for a range of mean electron energies, which directly impact on the rate constants of electron collisions. The simulation was conducted using the expected composition of exhaust gas from a typical two-stroke, slow-speed marine diesel engine. The simulation results predict that mean electron energy of 0.25–3.2 eV gives abatement efficiency of 99% for ${\text {NO}}_{\text{x}}$ and ${\text {SO}}_{\text{x}}$ . The minimum residence time required was found to be 80 ns for the mean electron energy of 1 eV. Multimode cavity was designed using COMSOL multiphysics. The NTPR performance in terms of ${\text {NO}}_{\text{x}}$ and ${\text {SO}}_{\text{x}}$ removal was experimentally tested using the exhaust from a 2-kW lab scale, two-stroke diesel engine. The experimental results also show that the complete removal of NO is possible with the MW plasma (yellow color) generated. However, it was found that generating required MW plasma is a challenging task and requires further investigation.