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Results for “PLASMA ELECTRODE”

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At least 433 records · Page 24

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Characterizing Electrical Arc Behavior in Ion Engines

Gridded ion engines represent a class of electric thrusters characterized by high propulsive efficiency and high total impulse capabilities. These engines operate by applying high voltage to multi-aperture electrodes, thereby electrostatically accelerating plasma to generate thrust. Within the course of normal operations, periodic occurrences of high voltage breakdowns manifest within the thruster. These breakdowns constitute an inherent aspect of operation, with observations indicating a diminishing frequency and total count over the thruster's operational lifespan. To safeguard the propulsion system during such occurrences, the power processing unit (PPU) employs an automated arc extinction sequence, termed "recycle," which is triggered upon detection of an over-current condition. The initial phase of this sequence involves momentarily deactivating the high voltage and reducing the discharge current to a predetermined level, minimizing plasma impingement as the ion beam is defocused. The high voltage is subsequently reapplied, and the discharge current is returned to its nominal value. The entire sequence typically spans approximately 800 milliseconds. Throughout a recycle event, the propulsion system experiences various current and voltage transients as the arc current traverses the system and different power supplies are toggled on and off.

electric propulsion↗

NASA NTRS2021

Emission Spectroscopy Characterization of Electrodes Species in the Freestream Flow at the NASA Ames Miniature Arc Jet II Facility

The second generation miniature Arc Jet (mARC II) is a subscale arc jet at NASA Ames Research Center that is undergoing initial characterization. During its operation, the electrodes used to produce continuous plasma flows deteriorate and the flow purity decreases. The present work reports the use of optical emission spectroscopy as a characterization tool for impurities in the plasma flow. The discussion is focused on the interpretation of spectroscopic measurements and their evolution under different testing conditions. Special emphasis is given to copper and silver, the main atomic elements of the electrodes. The highest rate of anode deterioration is found to occur during the arc jet ignition, while cathode deterioration is constant throughout the entire run. Based on the experimental spectra, a preliminary numerical characterization of the plasma temperature, enthalpy and number density is conducted.

facility↗

NASA NTRS2008

Localized arc filament plasma actuators for noise mitigation and mixing enhancement

A device for controlling fluid flow. The device includes an arc generator coupled to electrodes. The electrodes are placed adjacent a fluid flowpath such that upon being energized by the arc generator, an arc filament plasma adjacent the electrodes is formed. In turn, this plasma forms a localized high temperature, high pressure perturbation in the adjacent fluid flowpath. The perturbations can be arranged to produce vortices, such as streamwise vortices, in the flowing fluid to control mixing and noise in such flows. The electrodes can further be arranged within a conduit configured to contain the flowing fluid such that when energized in a particular frequency and sequence, can excite flow instabilities in the flowing fluid. The placement of the electrodes is such that they are unobtrusive relative to the fluid flowpath being controlled.

Samimy, Mohammad↗

NASA NTRS2010

Localized arc filament plasma actuators for noise mitigation and mixing enhancement

Samimy, Mohammad↗

DOE OSTI2020

Effect of frequency and applied voltage of an atmospheric-pressure dielectric-barrier discharge on breakdown and hydroxyl-radical generation with a liquid electrode

This work examines the effect of the frequency and peak applied voltage on hydroxyl-radical generation in a dielectric-barrier plasma discharge between a metallic needle electrode and one electrode covered with dielectric. The authors examine a system that can expose up to 96 liquid samples in an automated fashion without human intervention beyond setting the initial software configuration. Then, hydroxylradical concentration, measured through coumarin fluorescence, was measured for 5 s plasma exposures generated under different highvoltage conditions with frequencies from 2 to 16 kHz and amplitudes from 4 to 9 kV. Their results show that an increase in frequency and/or applied voltage, within the range prescribed above and the limits of the high-voltage power supply, can yield up to a 150% increase in fluorescence with an equivalent hydroxyl-radical increase. Applications using typical previous methods, such as the Fenton Reaction, are limited in that they continuously generate hydroxyl radicals over millisecond and longer intervals. These results establish the electrical parameters that can now be applied to polymers, like proteins, which show three dimensional structures that are flexible and fluctuate on a microsecond and nanosecond time scale, with hydroxyl-radical generation on this time scale using this device. Additionally, plasma exposures may be optimized for a great variety of proteins, devices and techniques, where hydroxyl-radical generation is of utmost importance, reducing exposure time and potential subjection of samples to harmful side effects.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2016

The radiofrequency magnetic dipole discharge

This paper describes a novel and simple concept of plasma source, which is able to produce a radiofrequency magnetized discharge with minimal power requirements. The source is based on the magnetron concept and uses a permanent magnet as an active electrode. The dipolar field produced by the magnet confines the electrons, which cause further ionization, thus producing a toroidally shaped plasma in the equatorial region around the electrode. A plasma can be ignited with such scheme with power levels as low as 5 W. Paschen curves have been built for four different working gases, showing that in Helium or Neon, plasma breakdown is easily obtained also at atmospheric pressure. The plasma properties have been measured using a balanced Langmuir probe, showing that the electron temperature is around 3–4 eV and higher in the cathode proximity. Plasma densities of the order of 10{sup 16 }m{sup −3} have been obtained, with a good positive scaling with applied power. Overall, the electron pressure appears to be strongly correlated with the magnetic field magnitude in the measurement point.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2014

Pulsed Plasma with Synchronous Boundary Voltage for Rapid Atomic Layer Etching

Atomic Layer ETching (ALET) of a solid with monolayer precision is a critical requirement for advancing nanoscience and nanotechnology. Current plasma etching techniques do not have the level of control or damage-free nature that is needed for patterning delicate sub-20 nm structures. In addition, conventional ALET, based on pulsed gases with long reactant adsorption and purging steps, is very slow. In this work, novel pulsed plasma methods with synchronous substrate and/or “boundary electrode” bias were developed for highly selective, rapid ALET. Pulsed plasma and tailored bias voltage waveforms provided controlled ion energy and narrow energy spread, which are critical for highly selective and damage-free etching. The broad goal of the project was to investigate the plasma science and engineering that will lead to rapid ALET with monolayer precision. A combined experimental-simulation study was employed to achieve this goal.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS1967

The study of plasma-boundary interactions Quarterly report, 1 Sep. - 30 Nov. 1967

Electrode drag force measurements in boundary interactions of pulsed accelerator plasma

Aisenberg, S.↗

DOE OSTI2012

Visual and Electrical Evidence Supporting a Two-Plasma Mechanism of Vacuum Breakdown Initiation

The energy available during vacuum breakdown between copper electrodes at high vacuum was limited using resistors in series with the vacuum gap and arresting diodes. Surviving features observed with SEM in postmortem samples were tentatively correlated with electrical signals captured during breakdown using a Rogowski coil and a high-voltage probe. The visual and electrical evidence is consistent with the qualitative model of vacuum breakdown by unipolar arc formation by Schwirzke [1, 2]. The evidence paints a picture of two plasmas of different composition and scale being created during vacuum breakdown: an initial plasma made of degassed material from the metal surface, ignites a plasma made up of the electrode material.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2013

Particle-in-cell simulation of an electronegative plasma under direct current bias studied in a large range of electronegativity

A one-dimensional electronegative plasma situated between two symmetrical parallel electrodes under DC bias is studied by Particle-In-Cell simulation with Monte Carlo Collisions. By varying the electronegativity {alpha}{identical_to}n{sub -}/n{sub e} from the limit of electron-ion plasmas (negative ion free) to ion-ion plasmas (electron free), the sheaths formation, the negative ion flux flowing towards the electrodes, and the particle velocities at the sheath edges are investigated. Depending on {alpha}, it is shown that the electronegative plasma behavior can be described by four regimes. In the lowest regime of {alpha}, i.e., {alpha} < 50, negative ions are confined by two positive sheaths within the plasma, while in the higher regimes of {alpha}, a negative sheath is formed and the negative ion flux can be extracted from the bulk plasma. In the two intermediate regimes of {alpha}, i.e., 50 < {alpha} < 10{sup 5}, both the electron and the negative ion fluxes are involved in the neutralization of the positive ions flux that leaves the plasma. In particular, we show that the velocity of the negative ions entering the negative sheath is affected by the presence of the electrons, and is not given by the modified Bohm velocity generally accepted for electronegative plasmas. For extremely high electronegativity, i.e., {alpha} > 10{sup 5}, the presence of electrons in the plasma is marginal and the electronegative plasma can be considered as an ion-ion plasma (electron free).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2015

Influence of flowing helium gas on plasma plume formation in atmospheric pressure plasma

We have studied atmospheric pressure plasma generated using a quartz tube, helium gas, and a foil electrode by applying RF high voltage. The atmospheric pressure plasma in the form of a bullet is released as a plume into the atmosphere. The helium gas flowing out of quartz tube mixes with air, and the flow channel is composed of the regions of flowing helium gas and air. The plasma plume length is equivalent to the reachable distance of flowing helium gas. Although the amount of helium gas on the flow channel increases by increasing the inner diameter of quartz tube at the same gas flow velocity, the plasma plume length peaks at around 8 m/s of gas flow velocity, which is the result that a flow of helium gas is balanced with the amount of gas. The plasma plume is formed at the boundary region where the flow of helium gas is kept to the wall of the air.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2015

Studies on the new fuels with Santilli magnecular structure and their industrial applications

Professor R. M. Santilli, the Italian-American physicist, for the first time in the history of Science, presented the theoretical and experimental evidence on the existence of the new chemical species of “magnecules” [1]. This new species mainly consist of individual atoms, radicals and conventional molecules bonded together with stable clusters under the new attractive force primarily originating from torroidal polarization of orbitals of atomic electrons under strong magnetic field. The main contribution in this area was the production of Magnegas{sup TM}, new clean fuels developed by Prof. Santilli, which are produced as byproducts of recycling nonradioactive liquid feedstock such as antifreeze waste, engine oil waste, town sewage, crude oil, etc., and generally vary with the liquid used for their production. A new technology, called Plasma Arc FlowTM, flows the waste through a submerged electric arc between conventional electrodes. The arc decomposes the liquid molecules into their atomic constituents, and forms a plasma in the immediate vicinity of the electrodes at about 10,000{sup 0} F. The technology then moves the plasma away from the electrodes, and controls its recombination into environmentally acceptable fuels. In fact, the exhaust of magnegases shows: absence of carcinogenic or other toxic substances; breathable oxygen up 14 percent; and carbon dioxide down to 0.01 percent. Since, in addition, the new fuels can be produced everywhere, and have environmentally acceptable exhausts, Magnegases offer promising possibilities to satisfy our ever increasing energy needs, as well as to contain the alarming environmental problems caused by fossil fuels. Thus, it was thought worthwhile to present some of the industrial applications of environmentally benign fuel consisting magnecular bonds [2, 3, 4, 5]. Also in the present communications, some of the experimental evidences of Santilli’s new chemical species i. e. Magnecules which had been published recently have been summarized [6, 7, 8].

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2015

Observations of imposed ordered structures in a dusty plasma at high magnetic field

Dusty plasmas have been studied in argon, rf glow discharge plasmas at magnetic fields up to 2 T, where the electrons and ions are strongly magnetized. In this experiment, plasmas are generated between two parallel plate electrodes where the lower, powered electrode is solid and the upper, electrically floating electrode supports a semi-transparent, titanium mesh. We report on the formation of an ordered dusty plasma, where the dust particles form a spatial structure that is aligned to the mesh. We discuss possible mechanisms that may lead to the formation of the “dust grid” and point out potential implications and applications of these observations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2014

The role of space charge compensation for ion beam extraction and ion beam transport (invited)

Depending on the specific type of ion source, the ion beam is extracted either from an electrode surface or from a plasma. There is always an interface between the (almost) space charge compensated ion source plasma, and the extraction region in which the full space charge is influencing the ion beam itself. After extraction, the ion beam is to be transported towards an accelerating structure in most cases. For lower intensities, this transport can be done without space charge compensation. However, if space charge is not negligible, the positive charge of the ion beam will attract electrons, which will compensate the space charge, at least partially. The final degree of Space Charge Compensation (SCC) will depend on different properties, like the ratio of generation rate of secondary particles and their loss rate, or the fact whether the ion beam is pulsed or continuous. In sections of the beam line, where the ion beam is drifting, a pure electrostatic plasma will develop, whereas in magnetic elements, these space charge compensating electrons become magnetized. The transport section will provide a series of different plasma conditions with different properties. Different measurement tools to investigate the degree of space charge compensation will be described, as well as computational methods for the simulation of ion beams with partial space charge compensation.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2019

On the hysteresis in fireball formation and extinction

A model is proposed to explain hysteresis observed in reball formation and extinction as electrode bias is varied in partially ionized plasmas. Formation is predicted after a su ciently deep potential well for electrons is established in the electron sheath of the electrode. Under the experimental conditions considered, once the reball forms the plasma potential rapidly increases, resulting in electrons being only lost to the electrode.Previous predictions suggest that once formed the reball double layer must maintain a potential close to the ionization potential of the neutral gas to remain in a steady state. In this paper, it is predicted that changes in electrode bias after formation results in a corresponding change in reball size and plasma potential. This change in plasma potential allows the double layer potential to be maintained at biases both above and below the electrode bias at onset. The reball extinguishes when the required double layer potential can no longer be maintained with balance of current loss of the bulk plasma. These predictions are tested experimentally and are found to be in good agreement with the measurements.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2014

Permanent hydrophilization of outer and inner surfaces of polytetrafluoroethylene tubes using ambient air plasma generated by surface dielectric barrier discharges

We present an atmospheric pressure ambient air plasma technique developed for technically simple treatment of inner and/or outer surfaces of plastic tubes and other hollow dielectric bodies. It is based on surface dielectric barrier discharge generating visually diffuse plasma layers along the treated dielectric surfaces using water-solution electrodes. The observed visual uniformity and measured plasma rotational and vibrational temperatures of 333 K and 2350 K indicate that the discharge can be readily applied to material surface treatment without significant thermal effect. This is exemplified by the obtained permanent surface hydrophilization of polytetrafluoroethylene tubes related to the replacement of a high fraction (more than 80%) of the surface fluorine determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A tentative explanation of the discharge mechanism based on high-speed camera observations and the discharge current and voltage of measurements is outlined.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2017

Plasma chemistry of the sealed-off slab CO laser active medium pumped by radio-frequency discharge with liquid-nitrogen-cooled electrodes

The long-term time behavior of the output power of a sealed-off cryogenic slab CO laser pumped by a repetitively pulsed RF discharge and operating on the overtone (λ = 2.6–3.5 μm) vibrational−rotational transitions of the CO molecule was studied experimentally. It is shown that adding of an anomalously large amount of oxygen (up to 50% with respect to the CO concentration) to the initial gas mixture CO : He = 1 : 10 leads to a manyfold (by several tens of times) increase in the duration of the laser operating cycle (until lasing failure due to the degradation of the active medium). In this case, the laser life-time without replacement of the active medium reaches 10{sup 5}–10{sup 6} pulses. Using various diagnostics (including luminescence spectroscopy and IR and UV absorption spectroscopy), regularities in the time-behavior of the concentrations of the main component of the active medium (CO molecules) and the products of plasmachemical reactions (O{sub 3}, CO{sub 2}) generated in the discharge gap during the laser operating cycle are revealed. Time correlation between the characteristics of the active medium and the laser output power are analyzed. A phenomenological approach to describing the entirety of plasmachemical, purely chemical, gas-dynamic, and diffusion processes determining the behavior of the laser output characteristics throughout the laser operating cycle is offered.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2025

Design considerations for optimizing the transient CHI injector on QUEST

Transient coaxial helicity injection (transient CHI) on the QUEST (Q-shu University Experiment with Steady-State ST) spherical tokamak (ST) has recently validated the floating biased electrode configuration for solenoid-free plasma startup. In support of a significant divertor upgrade on QUEST, the details of the transient CHI injector geometry on QUEST have been examined more closely using tokamak simulation code (TSC) simulations. QUEST uses a HIT-II-like (Helicity Injected Torus) injector configuration in which the injector region is comprised of coaxial injector electrodes located in the lower part of the machine. TSC simulations indicate high injector flux operation may benefit from an increased gap between the coaxial electrodes. This is the first study to examine the differences between an open and closed electrode configuration for solenoid-free plasma startup using transient CHI. Results show that both configurations can generate similar levels of closed flux, but the closed configuration may be easier to implement in some ST designs as a much smaller portion of the injector needs to be close to the injector flux coil. Results show that increasing the electrode gap width from the present 10.8 cm to about 15–20 cm would increase the closed flux fraction by about 40%. The results presented in this paper are generally applicable to the CHI design for other STs.

coaxial helicity injection↗