Modeling rf breakdown arcs II: plasma / materials interactions

TL;DR

This paper advances the understanding of rf vacuum arcs by modeling plasma-surface interactions, including surface field effects, instabilities, and high field enhancements, to better predict arc behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed model of plasma-material interactions affecting rf vacuum arcs, incorporating surface field measurement techniques and instability analysis.

Findings

Modeling of surface field using Tonks-Frenkel and spinodal instabilities

Identification of high field enhancement mechanisms

Analysis of unipolar arcs and creep effects

Abstract

Continuing the description of rf vacuum arcs from an earlier paper, we describe some aspects of the interaction of vacuum arcs that involve the surface. This paper describes aspects of plasma materials interactions that affect the arc and models measurement of the surface field using the Tonks-Frenkel and the spinodal electrohydrodynamic instabilities, a realistic model for the generation and evaluation of high field enhancements, unipolar arcs, creep and other effects.