Three-dimensional numerical simulation of surface-wave plasma source

A three-dimensional model of a surface-wave plasma (SWP) source is built numerically using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to investigate the structure of the surface wave propagation along the plasma-dielectric interface and the distributions of electromagnetic fields in the whole system. A good-performance excitation source technique for the waveguide which is pivotal to the simulation is presented. The technique can avoid the dc distortions of magnetic fields caused by the forcing electric wall. An example of simulation is given to confirm the existence of the surface waves. The simulation also shows that the code developed is a useful tool in the computer-aided design of the antenna of the SWP source.