Simulation on the characteristics of a slotted hollow cathode discharge

In order to further explore the mechanism of discharge in slotted hollow cathode, we used a fluid-metastable atomic transport model to calculate the temporal and spatial plasma parameters of the discharge. Through the simulative calculation, we obtained the distributive characteristics of electric potential, electron density, electric field, and ionization rate varying with time. The results show that slotted hollow cathode discharge acts in different modes at different moments: The first stage is in the Townsend discharge mode, and it is mainly axial discharge. At the second stage, the discharge propagates from the outside to the inside of the cavity, along with a transition of electric field from axial to radial. The third stage is formation of hollow cathode discharge mode, and the cathode sheath layer is formed gradually at this stage. The last stage is stable discharge stage, the plasma parameters become time-independent. These conclusions provide a foundation for further analyzing the temporal characteristics of hollow cathode discharges. ©, 2015, Science Press. All right reserved.