Characterization of a high-power/current pulsed magnetized arc discharge

J.J. Zielinski, H.J. Meiden, van der, T.W. Morgan, D.C. Schram, G.C. De Temmerman

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Abstract

A high-power pulsed magnetized arc discharge has been developed to allow the superimposition of a dc plasma and a high-power plasma impulse with a single plasma source. A capacitor bank (8400 µF) is parallel-coupled to the current regulated power supply. The current is transiently increased from its stationary value (200 A) up to 14.5 kA in 650 µs. The discharge power is thus raised from 18 kW to 6.5 MW, corresponding to a power density of up to 1.7 × 1012 W m−3–102 times higher than in the dc mode (200 A). The plasma parameters are measured by Thomson scattering ~4 cm downstream of the nozzle. The electron temperature and density vary from ~2.6 eV and 7 × 1020 m−3 in dc and up to 15 eV and 80 × 1020 m−3 during the pulse. A saturation of the electron density with increasing current is observed while the temperature increases monotonically. Time-resolved voltage/current measurements of the arc are used to explain the role of the magnetic field and the evolution of the temperature.
Original languageEnglish
Article number065003
Pages (from-to)065003-1/9
Number of pages9
JournalPlasma Sources Science and Technology
Volume21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

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