MODEL FOR ION OSCILLATIONS AT A NEGATIVELY-BIASED GRID

Ion oscillations in the sheath around a negatively-biased grid separat ing the source and target chambers of a double plasma machine are mode led using a one-dimensional hybrid simulation. A strong, coherent osci llation is found with characteristics matching those seen experimental ly. The oscillation grows when the frequency of a virtual anode oscill ation in the target chamber matches the bounce frequency for ion bunch es in the sheath. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.