3-dimensional simulations of breakdown using the vorpal software tool

Summary form only given. We show simulations of RF breakdown phenomenon in waveguides and at waveguide-plasma interfaces. High gradient induced breakdown in waveguides is studied with self-consistent field emission, ionization cascade, and secondary models. We will test DSMC (discrete simulation Monte Carlo) particle-based algorithms for use in dynamic modeling of neutral gas in breakdown events. We investigate different initial conditions and breakdown initiation scenarios, to test their ability to generate breakdown plasma, and we track the plasma evolution in order to compare behavior to laboratory observations. Breakdown at the interface between dielectric-loaded waveguides and edge plasmas are also investigated. Here we are interested in the effect of power level, waveguide orientation, magnetic field, edge plasma and neutral density, on the breakdown plasma evolution