Particle simulation study of erosion phenomena in high-density plasma opening switch

A 2-1/2D cylindrical full electromagnetic particle-in-cell code is used to simulate erosion phenomena of a high-density plasma opening switch. The computational model involving complex boundaries has been briefly introduced. The simulation results show that at the end of the conduction phase a vacuum sheath will form near a cathode, the formation mechanisms include deformation of plasma by magnetic pressure, the penetration of magnetic field and electrostatic erosion. Because of the descent of the plasma density and the existence of vacuum sheath, plasma opening switch can be opened by erosion mechanism on the condition of smaller ion current density. 