Avalanche induced rapid impedance change and electron power absorption during gas breakdown under radio-frequency excitation. (15th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Yong-Xin; Wang, Xiang-Yu; Zhang, Quan-Zhi; Donkó, Zoltán; Zhao, Kai; Schulze, Julian; Wang, You-Nian
• Is Part Of: Plasma sources science & technology. Volume 29:Number 12(2020:Dec.)
• Publication Date: 2020-12-15
• Subjects: breakdown process -- parallel plate system -- radio frequency excitation -- low pressure; Plasma (Ionized gases) -- Periodicals; 530.44
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6595/abcc7a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-0252

Abstract

Abstract: During the initiation of a gas discharge under radio-frequency excitation we find that the system undergoes a sequence of distinct electron power absorption modes, while its impedance changes on the nanosecond timescale within the pre-breakdown, breakdown and post-breakdown phases. The experimental results for the spatiotemporal distribution of the excitation rate as well as other plasma parameters during the breakdown process are confirmed by particle-based kinetic simulations. The phenomenon is followed by an analytical model that sheds light on the temporal variation of the current and voltage waveforms as well as their phase difference leading to the rapid variation of the impedance during the build-up of the plasma.