Simulation of electron densities and breakdown voltages in argon-filled cylindrical electrodes

Breakdown voltage (V_BD) is the most fundamental parameter to detect different gases in ionization gas sensor. In this work we present the simulated V_BD in DC discharges and combined DC and RF discharges in argon using Particle-in-Cell Monte Carlo Collision (PIC-MCC) method. Electron density which plays a crucial role in the breakdown mechanism is also calculated at different positions between the cylindrical electrodes. The breakdown voltages agree well with experimentally measured and other simulated data for various ranges of gas pressures.