Direct evidence of departure from local thermodynamic equilibrium in a free-burning arc-discharge plasma

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.48.4124· OSTI ID:5912265

Snyder, S C; Lassahn, G D; Reynolds, L D ^[1]

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1. Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, EG G Idaho, Inc., P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415 (United States)

Radial profiles of gas temperature, electron temperature, and electron density were measured in a free-burning atmospheric-pressure argon arc-discharge plasma using line-shape analysis of scattered laser light. This method yields gas temperature, electron temperature, and electron density directly, with no reliance on the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). Our results show a significant departure from LTE in the center of the discharge, contrary to expectations.

• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 5912265
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States) Vol. 48:5; ISSN 1063-651X; ISSN PLEEE8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700320 -- Plasma Diagnostic Techniques & Instrumentation-- (1992-)
700330* -- Plasma Kinetics
Transport
& Impurities-- (1992-)
ARGON
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ELEMENTS
EQUILIBRIUM
FLUIDS
GASES
LASER RADIATION
LIGHT SCATTERING
LTE
MEDIUM PRESSURE
NONMETALS
PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
RADIATIONS
RARE GASES
SCATTERING
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
VARIATIONS