Numerical simulation of the plasma generated by the interaction high-current electron beam with Al target

The results of one dimensional particle-in-cell simulations of the dynamics of plasma generated during the interaction of a high-energy (200 keV) and high-current (15 A/cm) electron beam with an aluminum target are presented. The generated target plasma is low-ionized and characterized by non-Maxwellian electron energy distribution. The density and electron temperature of the plasma, which expands toward the anode at a typical velocity of ∼10 cm/s, does not exceed 4 × 10 cm and 1 eV, respectively, which is in satisfactory agreement with the experimental results presented in W. An, J. Appl. Phys. 110, 093304 (2011). The results of the simulations showed also acceleration of the ions from the target plasma toward the anode by the potential of the non-compensated space charge of the electron beam. The typical velocity of these energetic ions is ∼10 cm/s and depends on the electron current density and energy. These ions partially compensate the space charge of the electron beam, which leads to a decrease in the depth of the potential well. © 2013 American Institute of Physics.