Power flow and cathode erosion in a vacuum-arc centrifuge

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TPS.1986.4316580· OSTI ID:5335465

Prasad, R R; Consiglo, R; Krishnan, M

Measurements of discharge voltage, current, and cathode erosion rates in a vacuum-arc centrifuge are described. Such a centrifuge consists of a high-current vacuum-arc source imbedded in a uniform axial magnetic field. Plasma produced by the vacuum-arc discharge is collimated and rotated by the magnetic field. This rotation leads to radial centrifugal separation across the plasma column. Voltage-current characteristics reveal that the plasma resistance is independent of the axial magnetic field. A minimum turn-on voltage is required by the discharge, independent of the conducted current. This turn-on voltage is probably associated with sheath voltages at the electrodes. An appropriate electrical analog for the discharge is that of a diode in series with a pure resistance. Impedance matching of the electrolytic pulse-forming network to such a load is examined. Typically, 90 percent of the stored electrical energy is found to be coupled to the plasma load, making this a very efficient source for the centrifuge. Cathode erosion rates for carbon and magnesium cathodes are presented. These measurements are compared with those of other investigators at lower currents.

• Research Organization: Section of Applied Physics, Dept. of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale Univ., New Haven, CT 06520
• OSTI ID: 5335465
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States) Vol. PS-14:4; ISSN ITPSB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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42 ENGINEERING
420800* -- Engineering-- Electronic Circuits & Devices-- (-1989)
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CARBON
CATHODES
CENTRIFUGES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONCENTRATORS
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC IMPEDANCE
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
ELEMENTS
EROSION
IMPEDANCE
MAGNESIUM
MAGNETIC FIELDS
METALS
MOTION
NONMETALS
PLASMA PRODUCTION
PULSES
ROTATION
VACUUM STATES