Synthesis of silicon carbide in a nitrogen plasma torch: rotational temperature determination and material analysis

Abstract

Experiments on silicon carbide synthesis were performed using a dc nitrogen plasma torch. Measurements of rotational temperature of nitrogen molecules by emission spectroscopy were performed, based on the band (0, 1) of the first negative system of nitrogen for the R branch. Three different plasma torch powers were studied in order to optimize the production of silicon carbide with our experimental set-up. The synthesized products were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy.