Resonant discharge simulations with asymmetric electrodes

Summary form only given, as follows. Bounded plasmas exhibit two basic natural resonances-the plasma frequency and the series resonance frequency. The latter is associated with the edge of the plasma, and involves density perturbations in the sheath; it is also the cut-off frequency for waves propagating along the wall. Series resonant discharges have been previously simulated in planar 1d3v (one spatial dimension, 3 velocity dimensions) models. Results from these simulations are found to compare well with experimental measurements. In this paper we look at 1d3v simulations of series resonant discharges between concentric cylinders and concentric spheres, also 1d3v. First, the natural series resonant frequency is determined by simulating an undriven plasma between short-circuited electrodes, looking for the resonance in the current; this frequency will be checked with simple circuit modeling. Second, we drive the same model near this resonance, in order to obtain a self-sustained discharge. We will report in detail on the differences between the driven symmetric and asymmetric discharges with respect to start-up, lock-on and steady state behavior, as well as on scaling laws.