Study of unipolar arcs in a low-pressure mercury discharge

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1981 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.328605· OSTI ID:5974649

Johnson, C T; Lee, A; Smeltzer, G S

An experimental study of unipolar arcs was conducted in a low-pressure mercury rf-generated plasma. The results were found to be consistent with the concept of a sheath mechanism for driving the unipolar arcs. Floating double-probe measurements yielded electron temperatures of approx.2 eV and electron-number densities of approx.1 x 10/sup 11/ cm/sup -3/. The variation of the unipolar arc current with (1) the electron temperature and density and (2) the metal surface area exposed to the plasma verified the predicted dependence of the arc current on the plasma parameters and the metal surface area. Finally, alternative mechanisms for sustaining the observed arcs by high-frequency rectification were ruled out on the basis of the recorded current waveforms of the unipolar arcs.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse R and D Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15235
• OSTI ID: 5974649
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 52:11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DATA
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRON DENSITY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MERCURY
METALS
PLASMA
PROBES
RF SYSTEMS
SURFACES
WAVE FORMS
CURRENTS
ELEMENTS
INFORMATION
640420* - Fluid Physics- Properties & Structure of Fluids- (-1987)