Numerical simulation of a high-perveance ion-extraction system with a plasma emitter

The cell of a multiaperture three-electrode ion-extraction system (IES) with a plasma ion emitter is numerically simulated within the range of ion current density and accelerating potentials corresponding to gas-discharge ion sources used in technological and space applications (ion thrusters). The formation of the primary ion beam and the configuration of the secondary (charge-exchange) ion flux impinging on the IES electrodes from both the beam volume and the beam-transport (neutralization) region are investigated for different IES geometries. The erosion of the accelerating electrode is estimated.