An analytical and particle simulation study of localized semivacuum gas breakdown phenomena on high-voltage surfaces in low Earth orbit

Gas breakdown phenomena occurring on a localized scale of less than 1 mm in a semivacuum environment p≤1(Torr) are studied analytically as well as numerically using a Monte Carlo–particle-in-cell (MC–PIC) code. The MC–PIC code is shown to reproduce real physical phenomena with quantitative accuracy. The breakdown of a gas in semivacuum conditions is attributed to field enhancement by positive ion space charges resulting in higher enhanced field electron emission from the cathode surface. The analytical expression for the breakdown condition is derived and very good agreement with the numerical and experimental results is obtained.