Ion bombardment of electrodes in an electric vacuum device can induce high-voltage breakdown. In order to explain this phenomenon, we, for the first time, analyzed a typical model of protons impacting the electrode with the help of a particle-in-cell (PIC)-direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) code. In this model, we considered both the secondary electron yield and the gas desorption from the electrode. The temporal and spatial distribution evolution of electrons, ions, and neutrals under different electrode conditions is presented. The critical value of local gas density to induce breakdown is 1025 m−3. According to the discussion of the formation of the electrons avalanche, the electron ionizing gas is the key component for affecting the formation of a breakdown, and the production of plasma sheath near the electrode greatly contributes to the electrons avalanche.

中文翻译：

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高能质子轰击引起电极击穿现象的研究

电真空设备中电极的离子轰击会引起高压击穿。为了解释这种现象，我们首次借助粒子内细胞 (PIC) 直接模拟蒙特卡罗 (DSMC) 代码分析了质子撞击电极的典型模型。在这个模型中，我们考虑了二次电子产率和电极的气体解吸。介绍了不同电极条件下电子、离子和中性物质的时空分布演变。引起击穿的局部气体密度临界值为 1025 m-3。根据电子雪崩形成的讨论，电子电离气体是影响击穿形成的关键成分，