Theoretical and experimental investigation on magneto-hydrodynamics of plasma window

Journal Article · Tue Jan 05 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4937788· OSTI ID:1336087

Wang, S. Z. ^[1]; Zhu, K. ^[1]; Huang, S. ^[1]; Lu, Y. R. ^[1]; Hershcovitch, A. ^[2]; Yuan, Z. X. ^[1]; Shi, B. L. ^[1]; Gan, P. P. ^[1]

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1. Peking Univ., Beijing (China). State Key Lab. of Nuclear Physics and Technology
2. Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)

As a new device, we designed plasma window to use plasma discharge to separate atmosphere from vacuum with high difference of pressure. It has many excellent properties, being able to be used as available passage for ion beam with negligible energy loss, also impervious to radiation damage and thermal damage. Normally beam focusing by accelerators is not that easy to achieve within channel of small cross section. 10 mm diameter plasma window's experimental realization could contribute to its further application in accelerator system. In this paper, 10 mm diameter 60 mm long plasma window has first been designed and managed to generate arc discharge with argon gas experimentally. Our result proves that it has the ability to separate at least 28.8 kPa (not the upper limit) from 360 Pa with 50 A direct current and 2.5 kW power supplied. Current increase leads to linear inlet pressure increase obviously, while it has less impact on outlet pressure and voltage, coming to the conclusion that the higher current of plasma discharge, the larger pressure difference it creates. Furthermore, theoretical analysis of 10 mm diameter plasma window in axis symmetrical configuration using argon also has been provided, in which a numerical 2D FLUENT-based magneto-hydrodynamic simulation model is settled. It has a good agreement with experimental result on voltage and mass flow rate when inlet pressure is increased.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Nuclear Physics (NP)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC00112704
• OSTI ID: 1336087
• Report Number(s): BNL-112492-2016-JA; PHPAEN; R&D Project: KBCH139; 18033; KB0202011
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 23, Issue 1; ISSN 1070-664X
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics (AIP)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY