Voltage and cathode emission mechanisms of a magnetized, constricted, orbiting plasma in helium 6.7–850 Pa

Smith, David J.; Sommerer, Timothy J.; Lawler, James E.; Hitchon, W. Nicholas G.

doi:10.1088/1361-6463/abfbad

Voltage and cathode emission mechanisms of a magnetized, constricted, orbiting plasma in helium 6.7–850 Pa

Journal Article · 13 May 2021 · Journal of Physics. D, Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6463/abfbad· OSTI ID:1848182

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OSTI

Abstract

We present a semiquantitative description of several important properties of a magnetized cold-cathode plasma in helium over a wide pressure range 6.7–850 Pa. We focus on the ‘constricted orbiting’ mode where the plasma attaches to the cathode as a moving ‘dot’ and the voltage and rate of cathode erosion are both unusually low. We propose that the low plasma voltage and observed motion of the plasma adjacent to the cathode can be attributed to field emission as the source of electrons from the cathode, a process that is aided by the charging of an oxide film by ions. We find that the observed dependence of plasma voltage on pressure is consistent with the assumption that the axial electric field must increase in regions of strong crossed magnetic field to maintain current continuity.

Research Organization:: General Electric Co., Boston, MA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)

DOE Contract Number:: AR0000298;

OSTI ID:: 1848182

Journal Information:: Journal of Physics. D, Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Physics. D, Applied Physics Journal Issue: 29 Vol. 54; ISSN 0022-3727

Publisher:: IOP Publishing

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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