Calculation of RF sheath properties from surface wave-fields: a post-processing method

Abstract

In ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) experiments in fusion research devices, radio frequency (RF) sheaths form where plasma, strong RF wave fields and material surfaces coexist. These RF sheaths affect plasma material interactions such as sputtering and localized power deposition, as well as the global RF wave fields themselves. RF sheaths may be modeled by employing a sheath boundary condition (BC) in place of the more customary conducting wall BC; however, there are still many ICRF computer codes that do not implement the sheath BC. In this paper we present a method for post-processing results obtained with the conducting wall BC. The post-processing method produces results that are equivalent to those that would have been obtained with the RF sheath BC, under certain assumptions. We found the post-processing method is also useful for verification of sheath BC implementations and as a guide to interpretation and understanding of the role of RF sheaths and their interactions with the waves that drive them.