Electric Field Measurements at the Surface of a Piezoelectric Transformer for Plasma Jet Formation using the Plasma Research Facility at Sandia National Laboratory (Final Report)
The overall goal of this research is to understand how low-temperature non-equilibrium plasmas form directly off the surface of piezoelectric crystals. Specifically, this project aims to temporally and spatially resolve how the electric field evolves on and near the surface of a piezoelectric transformer (PT) at conditions that produce an atmospheric-pressure air plasma jet emanating from the corner of the PT. In this work, we used the Plasma Research Facility (PRF) at Sandia National Laboratory to conduct temporally- and spatially-resolved electric field induced second harmonic (E-FISH) measurements of the electric field at and near the surface of a piezoelectric transformer, providing a fundamental understanding of how piezoelectric crystals can be used for plasma generation. We carried out two Objectives: Objective 1 – The first objective was to measure the temporal and spatial evolution of the electric field along the surfaces approaching the corner of a rectangular PT just below conditions that lead to plasma jet formation. Such a measurement can be used to explain when and where the electric field peaks, leading to plasma formation; Objective 2 – The second objective was to measure the temporal and spatial evolution of the electric field along the surfaces approaching the corner of a rectangular PT just at conditions of plasma jet formation. This, in principle, gives a more accurate determination of how the electric field leads to plasma formation but is more difficult due to the relatively stochastic plasma jet behavior of a PT. This work was complemented by an award from the Sandia PRF, and we worked with Dr. Edward Barnat at the Sandia PRF to carry out these objectives.
- Research Organization:
- University of Notre Dame, IN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0021083
- OSTI ID:
- 1841529
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-ND-1083; TRN: US2404388
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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