Particle in Cell-Monte Carlo Collisions of a Plasma Column Driven by Surface Wave Plasma Discharges

In this work, applicability of Particle in Cell-Monte Carlo Collisions (PIC-MCC) simulation method for better understanding of the plasma physical mechanisms and real important aspects of a plasma column driven by surface wave plasma discharges that is used in plasma antennas is examined. Via the implementation of geometry and physical parameters of the plasma column to an Object Oriented PIC-MCC code, the plasma density, electrical conductivity, plasma kinetic energy and electric field inside the plasma column as its essential properties are obtained. The gas within the plasma column is taken to be argon which is kept at the low operational background pressures. The radial increasing and axial decreasing of the electric field in the plasma column is observed. Moreover, the plasma density reduces radially, while it is maximized along the axial positions. It is seen that, the density of charged particles and their corresponding current densities are maximized at the positions closer to the surface wave launcher.