DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A HIGH INTENSITY ARC DISCHARGE

Patent · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1960

OSTI ID:4165162

Luce, J S

A device is described for producing an energetic d-c carbon arc discharge between widely spaced electrodes with arc currents in excess of 100 amperes in a magnetic field of about 3000 gauss and witnin an evacuated enclo sure at a pressure of about 10/sup -5/ mm Hg. No defining electrodes are used in the device, thus essentially eliminating the problems of shorting which heretofore limited the amount of current that could be produced in an arc discharge. The energetic carbon arc discharge is sustained by the potential across the electrodes and by carbon ions and electrons released from the electrodes during arc operation. A large part of the potential drop of the arc occurs along the arc and many energetic electrons reach the anode because the arc pressure is relatively low, and few collisions occur. The carbon discharge is also an efficient ion pump.

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-14-016134
• Assignee: U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
• Patent Number(s): US 2920234
• OSTI ID: 4165162
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CARBON
CONFIGURATION
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRODES
ELECTRONS
INSTRUMENTS
IONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MEASURED VALUES
PHYSICS
PLANNING
PRESSURE
VACUUM