Power, Control, and Data Processing Systems

Power, Control, and Data Processing Systems

Numerical Simulation of Electron Cyclotron Resonance Discharge Generated by Permanent Magnets

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Plasma Physics and Fusion Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute
Abstract
In recent years, the technology of plasma processing and thin film deposition using electron cyclotron resonance plasma (ECR) sources has been developed and widely utilized in plasma processing at low pressures due to its higher ionization rate compared to DC and RF plasma sources, as well as its lower sheath potential. One of the challenges of ECR plasma processing systems is the requirement for expensive magnetic field generation systems. This issue can be addressed by using permanent magnets instead of magnetic coils for generating magnetic fields. In this article, magnetic field profile of four NdFeB grade 42 permanent block magnets have been computed using Magnetic Field No Current (MFNC) module of COMSOL software and the optimal arrangement of magnets, for which resonant surfaces are placed inside the discharge chamber, has been determined. Then, microwave generated discharge in the presence of permanent magnets have been computed using Plasma and Electromagnetic Wave (EMW) modules. Additionally, we calculated characteristics of the discharge such as plasma density and microwave power absorption.
Keywords

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Volume 2, Issue 1
Winter 2025
Pages 1-5

  • Receive Date 15 October 2024
  • Revise Date 24 November 2024
  • Accept Date 25 November 2024
  • First Publish Date 25 November 2024
  • Publish Date 01 March 2025