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The axially extended leading edge and internal substructures of large-scale rotating spokes in partially magnetized plasmas.

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Title: The axially extended leading edge and internal substructures of large-scale rotating spokes in partially magnetized plasmas.
Authors: Li, Chenyang1 (AUTHOR), Eremin, Denis2 (AUTHOR), Xu, Liang1 (AUTHOR) liangxu@suda.edu.cn
Source: Plasma Sources Science & Technology. 2026, Vol. 35 Issue 7, p1-8. 8p.
Subjects: Plasma instabilities, Plasma heating, Plasma stability, Plasma flow, Magnetic flux density
Abstract: In this Letter, we reveal the underlying physics of the rotating spoke morphology—the axially extended leading edge and internal substructures—in magnetron discharges using a two-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collisions (PIC/MCC) approach. It is found that the spoke morphology is controlled by the axial profile of the external magnetic field. As the magnetic field gradient becomes more uniform, the cathode presheath penetrates further toward the anode. Consequently, the Simon–Hoh instability, which distorts the azimuthal equipotential lines and generates azimuthal electric fields, occurs closer to the anode. The resulting ∇ B induced electron heating then drives the formation of a spoke characterized by an axially extended leading edge. The internal substructures are identified as a lower hybrid drift instability, driven by the electron diamagnetic drift and E × B drift along the potential hump channel extending from the spoke region to the anode. These spoke morphology features—the axially extended leading edge and its internal substructures—are in good agreement with previous experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:In this Letter, we reveal the underlying physics of the rotating spoke morphology—the axially extended leading edge and internal substructures—in magnetron discharges using a two-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collisions (PIC/MCC) approach. It is found that the spoke morphology is controlled by the axial profile of the external magnetic field. As the magnetic field gradient becomes more uniform, the cathode presheath penetrates further toward the anode. Consequently, the Simon–Hoh instability, which distorts the azimuthal equipotential lines and generates azimuthal electric fields, occurs closer to the anode. The resulting ∇ B induced electron heating then drives the formation of a spoke characterized by an axially extended leading edge. The internal substructures are identified as a lower hybrid drift instability, driven by the electron diamagnetic drift and E × B drift along the potential hump channel extending from the spoke region to the anode. These spoke morphology features—the axially extended leading edge and its internal substructures—are in good agreement with previous experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:09630252
DOI:10.1088/1361-6595/ae80f6