Plasma Simulation for the Anode Layer Ionization Source Using in the Material Modification Process

Abstract

Ionization source based on thruster of anode layer using on the spacecraft has been investigated greatly recently. Based on the principle and structure model of the ionization source, we introduce the Particle-In-Cell Monte-Carlo-Collision (PIC-MCC) plasma simulation method into the vacuum discharge process and study on the discharge characteristics of the ionization source. The comparison results show that the discharge characteristics of anode layer ionization source such as the beam energy, beam density change with the discharge voltage, working pressure and gas type. The discharge characteristics from simulation get a good agreement with experimental results. The simulation is instructive for further research on the optimization design and characteristics research of ionization source in the material modification process.