THE EFFECT OF ELECTRODES IN A LINEAR PINCHED DISCHARGE

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1961 · Proc. Phys. Soc. (London)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0370-1328/77/3/310· OSTI ID:4028790

Haines, M G

A linear pinched dischargc in fully ionized H or D is examined theoretically under idealized steady-state conditions of stability and balanced pressure and energy. Under these conditions, the Joule heating caused by the axial current is balanced by bremsstrahlung radiation losses and by axial heat conduction and diffusion to the electrodes A partial analytical solution is found assuming that the transport coefficients have normal power dependencies on temperature (T) throughout the plasma. It is shown that all the energy not radiated is carried to the anode, the cathode having a negative totui heat flax at its surface due to thermal effects of diffusion by the current-carrving electrons. The maximum T in the dischargc is shown to vary directly with the voltage across the tube and only insensitivey to other parameters. Relations are derived involving the dimensions of the discharge, the current and the maximum T. The variations along the axis of 7 the line density, and the electric field are shown. The relative importance of heat conduction and radiation losses depends only on the total axial current which is flowing. An example of a discharge shows that temperatures of 10/sup 6/ to 10/sup 7/ deg K are feasible in the presence of heat losses to the electrodes. (auth)

• Research Organization: Imperial Coll. of Science and Tech., London
• NSA Number: NSA-15-016588
• OSTI ID: 4028790
• Journal Information: Proc. Phys. Soc. (London), Journal Name: Proc. Phys. Soc. (London) Vol. Vol: 77
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANODES
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
CATHODES
CURRENTS
DENSITY
DEUTERIUM
DIFFUSION
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRODES
ELECTRONS
ENERGY
HEAT TRANSFER
HEATING
HYDROGEN
IONIZATION
LOSSES
PHYSICS
PINCH
PLASMA
PRESSURE
RESISTORS
SENSITIVITY
STABILITY
SURFACES
TEMPERATURE
TRANSPORT THEORY
TUBES
VARIATIONS