Modeling of the rf discharge initiation in a negative ion source

The maintenance free rf ion source is expected to be one of the most promising candidates for the negative ion sources of plasma heating for future fusion reactors. As an alternative to the arc-discharge sources, the rf negative ion sources have been developed for H- production. In order to make clear the condition for the discharge initiation of the rf source, we are developing a numerical model using the finite difference time domain Monte Carlo method to analyze the electron energy distribution function in rf field. The numerical result shows that the discharge is not successfully initiated due to the wall loss unless the wall potential is considered. More self-consistent model including ion dynamics to evaluate the wall potential and the electron loss at the wall will be needed in the future.