Three-dimensional modelling of self-organization phenomena in cathode boundary layer discharges using comsol multiphysics

Summary form only given. Modelling of self-organization phenomena in cathode boundary layer discharge is presented. The model, implemented with Comsol Multiphysics software, comprises equations for conservation of electrons and a single ion species written with the drift-diffusion transport approximation, Poisson´s equation, and using the local-field approximation. Processes considered are direct ionization and dissociative recombination. The gas modelled is xenon at 30 Torr. The discharge configuration is the same as shown in figure 1 of [1]. Standard boundary conditions have been used; in particular the dielectric wall absorbed charged particles. Solutions were found using a stationary solver, which decoupled physical from computational stability and is a key feature of the present modelling. The control parameter was switched from discharge voltage to discharge current, depending on the differential resistance of the discharge.