Unipolar arc simulation device

Journal Article · Tue Apr 20 00:00:00 EDT 1999 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1149963· OSTI ID:773746

Wang, S G; Brown, I G

We describe a simple laboratory device for establishing a vacuum arc plasma discharge that can serve to simulate a unipolar arc. The technique makes use of a triggered vacuum arc plasma gun to generate a plasma plume that in turn causes breakdown of a secondary discharge. The device is in fact a secondary vacuum arc discharge that is triggered by a primary vacuum arc discharge, with some of the features of the secondary plasma discharge having similarities with a unipolar arc configuration. Here we describe the experimental setup and outline how the device can be used for some areas of unipolar arc materials research.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Director, Office of Science (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 773746
• Report Number(s): LBNL-43109; RSINAK; R&D Project: 842401; TRN: AH200106%%14
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 70, Issue 9; Other Information: PBD: 20 Apr 1999; ISSN 0034-6748
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
BREAKDOWN
CONFIGURATION
PLASMA GUNS
PLUMES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION