Local Magnetic Control in a Large-Scale Low-Pressure Nonlocal Plasma Source

Abstract

A method for local control of plasma parameters in a large-scale plasma with nonlocal electron energy distribution function (EEDF) is proposed and implemented. For a given discharge geometry, gas type and pressure, the local control can be made possible by locally decreasing the coefficient of free diffusion of electrons in the region of interest. This can be achieved by applying a strong magnetic field to a fraction of the plasma volume. The magnetic field transforms locally the fraction of nonlocal plasma volume to a plasma with local EEDF and allows controlling properties of a part of the entire plasma. Experiments have been conducted in a low-pressure alternative current glow discharge in helium and air. It is shown that localized strong magnetic field creates dark plasma glow zones in the region.