Self-consistent multicomponent plasma sheath theory for the extraction of H- ions (invited)

A self-consistent one-dimensional plasma sheath theory is presented to provide the basis for a correct numerical simulation of the extraction of volume produced H- ions. The plasma may consist not only of electrons and H- ions, but may also contain other positive ions such as protons, molecular ions and those of heavier elements, like cesium or tantalum. For the transition from the classical plasma sheath with a falling potential to the extraction region for H- ions with an increasing potential there exists the problem of a saddle point with adverse optical properties. This is eliminated by requiring sufficient space charge of H- ions near the extraction electrode. The formation of a virtual cathode in the extraction region by reflected positive ions is also taken into account. The integration of the Poisson equation in the extraction region establishes a criterion to avoid the creation of a nonphysical periodical sequence of potential maximums and minima. This criterion is an antithesis to the Bohm sheath criterion and has a corresponding interpretation: a virtual cathode in the extraction region can only be avoided, if the space charge of positive ions rapidly decreases. The acceptable range of parameters is thus reduced considerably. The resulting axial potential function is then used to derive the shape of the plasma wall electrode in the vicinity of the ion beam edge in order to obtain an aberration free beam boundary, this information being equivalent to the Pierce angle in the case of solid electron or ion emitters