Simulation of the Ion Current in Computational Environment Using PIC Method

The purpose of this paper is to present the importance to predict possible ion collection under plasma parameters. In this particular case, the computational object is a cube 10cm×10cm×10cm, similar in shape and size of a nanosatellite, surrounding by a simulating particles which in this case we set them as the same mass as atomic oxygen ions and a constant flux of ions hitting one side of the simulated object surface. Particle-in-Cell (PIC) and Particle Tracking simulation code were performed to quantify the expected the ion current and potential. Additionally, the bias negative surface is also simulated to verified the ion flux deflection into the bias surface. A comparison between a bias surface and non-bias surface is performed to verify that ion collection is enhanced. Results demonstrates that ion flux is focusing through the bias surface since there are more ions collect by the bias surface.