Sheath parameters for non-Debye plasmas: simulations and arc damage

This paper describes the surface environment of the dense plasma arcs that damage rf accelerators, tokamaks and other high gradient structures. We simulate the dense, non-ideal plasma sheath near a metallic surface using Molecular Dynamics (MD) to evaluate sheaths in the non-Debye region for high density, low temperature plasmas. We use direct two-component MD simulations where the interactions between all electrons and ions are computed explicitly. We find that the non-Debye sheath can be extrapolated from the Debye sheath parameters with small corrections. We find that these parameters are roughly consistent with previous PIC code estimates, pointing to densities in the range $10^{24} - 10^{25}\mathrm{m}^{-3}$. The high surface fields implied by these results could produce field emission that would short the sheath and cause an instability in the time evolution of the arc, and this mechanism could limit the maximum density and surface field in the arc. These results also provide a way of understanding how the "burn voltage" of an arc is generated, and the relation between self sputtering and the burn voltage, while not well understood, seems to be closely correlated. Using these results, and equating surface tension and plasma pressure, it is possible to infer a range of plasma densities and sheath potentials from SEM images of arc damage. We find that the high density plasma these results imply and the level of plasma pressure they would produce is consistent with arc damage on a scale 100 nm or less, in examples where the liquid metal would cool before this structure would be lost. We find that the sub-micron component of arc damage, the burn voltage, and fluctuations in the visible light production of arcs may be the most direct indicators of the parameters of the dense plasma arc, and the most useful diagnostics of the mechanisms limiting gradients in accelerators.Comment: 8 pages, 16 figure

Computational problems in modeling arcs

We explore the reasons why there seems to be no common model for vacuum arcs, in spite of the importance of the field and the level of effort expended over more than one hundred years

Molecular-dynamics simulation of thin-film growth by energetic cluster impact

Langevin-molecular-dynamics simulations of thin-film growth by energetic cluster impact were carried out. The impact of a Mo 1043 cluster on a Mo(001) surface was studied for impact energies of 0.1, 1, and 10 eV/atom using the Finnis-Sinclair many-body potential. The characteristics of the collision range from a soft touchdown at 0.1 eV/atom, over a flattening collision at 1 eV/atom, to a meteoric impact at 10 eV/atom. The highest energy impact creates a pressure of about 100 GPa in the impact zone and sends a strong shock wave into the material. The cluster temperature reaches a maximum of 596 K for 0.1 eV/atom, 1799 K for 1 eV/atom, and 6607 K for 10 eV/atom during the first ps after the touchdown. For energies of 1 and 10 eV/atom the cluster recrystallizes after 20 ps. The consecutive collision of 50 Mo 1043 clusters with a Mo(001) surface at T=300 K was simulated for the three impact energies. The formation of a porous film is calculated for clusters impinging with low kinetic energy, while for the clusters with the highest energy a dense mirrorlike film is obtained, in good agreement with experiment

Modeling Vacuum Arcs

We are developing a model of vacuum arcs. This model assumes that arcs develop as a result of mechanical failure of the surface due to Coulomb explosions, followed by ionization of fragments by field emission and the development of a small, dense plasma that interacts with the surface primarily through self sputtering and terminates as a unipolar arc capable of producing breakdown sites with high enhancement factors. We have attempted to produce a self consistent picture of triggering, arc evolution and surface damage. We are modeling these mechanisms using Molecular Dynamics (mechanical failure, Coulomb explosions, self sputtering), Particle-In-Cell (PIC) codes (plasma evolution), mesoscale surface thermodynamics (surface evolution), and finite element electrostatic modeling (field enhancements). We can present a variety of numerical results. We identify where our model differs from other descriptions of this phenomenon.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Ion Solid Interaction And Surface Modification At RF Breakdown In High‐Gradient Linacs

Ion solid interactions have been shown to be an important new mechanism of unipolar arc formation in high-gradient rf linear accelerators through surface self-sputtering by plasma ions, in addition to an intense surface field evaporation. We believe a non-Debye plasma is formed in close vicinity to the surface and strongly affects surface atomic migration via intense bombardment by ions, strong electric field, and high surface temperature. Scanning electron microscope studies of copper surface of an rf cavity were conducted that show craters, arc pits, and both irregular and regular ripple structures with a characteristic length of 2 microns on the surface. Strong field enhancements are characteristic of the edges, corners, and crack systems at surfaces subjected to rf breakdown

Vacuum arcs and gradient limits

We have been extending and refining our model of vacuum breakdown and gradient limits and describe recent developments. The model considers a large number of mechanisms, but finds that vacuum arcs can be described fairly simply and self-consistently, however simulations of individual mechanisms can be involved, in some cases. Although based on accelerator rf data, we believe our model of vacuum arcs should have general applicability. The paper explores breakdown in plasmas, and self-sputtering and damage by parasitic arcs

Surface erosion and modification by highly charged ions

Analyses were conducted of various models and mechanisms of highly charged ion HCI and swift-heavy ion energy transfer into a solid target, such as hollow atom formation, charge screening, neutralization, shock wave generation, crater formation, and sputtering. A plasma model of space charge neutralization based on impact ionization of semiconductors at high electric fields was developed and applied to analyze HCI impacts on Si and W. Surface erosion of semiconductor and metal surfaces caused by HCI bombardments were studied by using a molecular dynamics simulation method, and the results were compared with experimental sputtering data

New mechanism of cluster-field evaporation in rf breakdown

Using a simple field evaporation model and molecular dynamics simulations of nanoscale copper tip evolution in a high electric field gradient typical for linacs, we have studied a new mechanism for rf-field evaporation. The mechanism consists of simultaneous (collective) field evaporation of a large group of tip atoms in high-gradient fields. Thus, evaporation of large clusters is energetically more favorable when compared with the conventional, ‘‘one-by-one’’ mechanism. The studied mechanism could also be considered a new mechanism for the triggering of rf-vacuum breakdown. This paper discusses the mechanism and the experimental data available for electric field evaporation of field emission microscopy tips

On the relationship between dynamic solubility, multi-atom bubble nucleation, irradiationinduced re-solution, and the bubble size distribution in Xe implanted Mo

U-Mo alloys are candidate fuels for both research and test reactors, as well as for advanced power reactors. A critical requirement for these candidate fuels is stable swelling behavior over their expected lifetime. In-reactor deformation of these materials is primarily driven by irradiation induced swelling where the primary component is fission gas (Xe and Kr) generated by decay of the primary fission products