Tunnel ionization within a one-dimensional, undriven plasma sheath

In high density, temperature plasmas, the plasma sheath that develops can result in extremely electric fields, on order of tens to hundreds V/nm. Under right conditions, these fields reach magnitudes increase probability electron tunneling ionization occur, resulting one or more electron-ion pairs. The presence then modify development sheath, as well properties such ion and densities potential. tunnel process for hydrogen atoms is demonstrated, this work, implemented a Sandia National Laboratories, particle-in-cell code Aleph. Results are presented application one-dimensional, undriven sheath. Additional results cases consider warm ions neutrals, inclusion electron–neutral collisions, injection neutral particles, various devices, will be discussed.