Continuum kinetic and multi-fluid simulations of classical sheaths

• DOI: 10.1063/1.4976544
• Publication Date: 2017-02-21T14:50:11Z
• Authors: P. Cagas; A. Hakim; J. Juno; B. Srinivasan
• Keywords: Kinetic Theory

The kinetic study of plasma sheaths is critical, among other things, to understand the deposition heat on walls, effect sputtering, and contamination with detrimental impurities. sheath also provides a boundary condition can often have significant global impact bulk plasma. In this paper, studies classical are performed continuum code, Gkeyll, that directly solves Vlasov-Poisson/Maxwell equations. code uses novel version finite-element discontinuous Galerkin (DG) scheme conserves energy in continuous-time limit. electrostatic field computed using Poisson equation. Ionization scattering collisions included, however, surface effects neglected. aim work introduce continuum-kinetic method compare its results those obtained from an already established finite-volume multi-fluid model implemented Gkeyll. Novel conditions fluids allow form without specifying wall fluxes, so fields adjust self-consistently at wall. presented here demonstrates fluid agreement for momentum flux, showing certain regimes, be useful approximation simulating boundary. There differences potential between results. Further, direct solutions distribution function highlight non-Maxwellian electrons sheath, emphasizing need model.