A magnetized torch module for plasma generation

Abstract

Summary form only given. Plasma sources with open structures have many potential applications, such as, for microwave reflector/absorber, wave drag reduction of the supersonic and hypersonic flights, material processing, and sterilization and chemical neutralization, etc.. Most of the applications require plasmas to be dense and in large volumes. It has been shown that a plasma torch can produce plasma with a sizable volume through a high current discharge, which is maintained in a diffused form by introducing a gas flow in the discharge. Using an array arrangement the plasma volume can be enlarged to a desired value. The installation of an array of plasma torches is made easy by introducing a cylindrical-shape plasma torch module, which has been designed and constructed by remodeling components from two commercially available spark plugs and adding a tungsten wire as the central electrode. Thus, each torch has the size of a spark plug and is in the form of a module unit which screws easily into the base surface of an array. This plasma torch module is now modified by adding a dc magnetic field between the electrodes. The improved performance of the new torch module due to the added axial magnetic field is demonstrated in the present work. The electric properties of the module are studied. Microwave absorption and scattering by an array of plasma torches are measured.