Behavior of ions from medium-density plasma in electric field created by plate–grid–plate geometry

The behavior of the ions from a medium-density plasma in an electric field created by the plate–grid–plate geometry was simulated with a two-dimensional one-fluid model in which electrons are assumed to be in thermal equilibrium, and the accuracy of the model was verified by comparing with other research results. The results show that the wire mesh parameters of the grid, including the wire mesh diameter and the spacing between the two wires of the grid, have an important influence on the ion extraction time and the ion collection ratio of the cathode plate. The blocking rate of the grid obtained by the theoretical simulation is almost equal to the geometrical blocking rate, and it is minimally affected by the initial ion density. These results can provide guidance for the optimization of wire mesh parameters of the grid, especially for the ion extraction and collection from a pulsed plasma.