Hybrid Modeling of Cold Plasma For Reconfigurable RF Systems
Abstract
The Hybrid Plasma Equipment Model, HPEM, was used to model weakly ionized plasmas to potentially be used in recongurable RF systems. HPEM is a simulation code developed by Prof. Mark Kushner at the University of Michigan and shared with the Cold Plasma Preeminent Team at Purdue University, led by Prof. Sergey Macheret. HPEM is hybrid in that in combines differential drift-diffusion equations for ions and electrons in the bulk plasma and a Monte Carlo simulation for high energy beam-type secondary emission electrons that are created in the sheath and injected into the plasma. In this thesis, HPEM was used to model Argon plasma sus- tained by repetitive nanosecond pulses. This modeling agrees well with experiments and demonstrates that the electron temperature decays between the pulses at a much faster rate than the electron density, which is promising for reducing the electromag- netic noise in plasma antennas. HPEM was also used to model DC abnormal glow discharge in Gas Discharge Tubes, GDT. These simulations agree well with experi- mental data and demonstrate wide variability of the cathode sheath thickness and the resulting variability of plasma capacitance, which could be used in plasma-tunable radio-frequency resonators and filters.
Degree
M.S.A.A.
Advisors
Macheret, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Aerospace engineering
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