Numerical and Experimental Characterization of RF Waves Propagation in Ion Sources Magnetoplasmas

This paper describes 3-D numerical simulations and radio frequency (RF) measurements of wave propagation in microwave-heated magnetized plasmas of ion sources. Full-wave solution of Maxwell’s equations has been addressed through the finite-element method commercial software COMSOL. Our numerical model takes into account the strongly inhomogeneous and anisotropic magnetized “cold” plasma medium. The simulations reproduce the main features of the wave–plasma interaction of the flexible plasma trap (FPT) that recently came into operations at INFN-LNS. A two-pin RF probe has been ad hoc developed and used as a plasma-immersed antenna for measuring local wave electric fields in the FPT device. The measurements of plasma electron density and RF electric field, performed for different external magnetic field configurations, allowed direct comparison with the assumed simulation model.