A predictive model for two-surface multipactor stability and growth based on chaos theory

Abstract

In this paper, a novel theoretical approach on multipactor discharge based on principles from nonlinear dynamics and chaos theory is extended to a parallel-plate geometry with radio-frequency (RF) and DC electric-fields. Maps that relate the RF emission phase to the RF arrival phase are developed with no a priori assumptions on the electron trajectories (neglecting space-charge effects). A wide range of system parameters are scanned in the theory, resulting in bifurcation diagrams that recover a plethora of resonant and nonresonant modes. This new approach agrees well with conventional resonance theory where applicable but also provides insight on parameter regions where the former theory is limited. Further, it is found that the attractor form manifests in the exponential growth rate, where higher-periodicity and chaotic modes dilute multipactor growth. These theoretical predictions are validated against particle-in-cell simulations.