Zur Begrenzung der radial en Ausdehnung des Li chtbogenstromes durch ein axiales Magnetfeld. II. Skalengesetze und Vergleich mit Experimenten / On Limitation of the Radial Extent of the Arc Current by Means of an Axial Magnetic Field. II. Scaling Laws and Comparison with Experimental Results

Abstract

Abstract In an arc with superimposed axial magnetic field, radial current components cause a rotational motion of the plasma column and produce azimuthal Hall currents and hence electromotive forces such that the arc current is guided by the magnetic field lines. In the first part of this paper the steady-state plasma equations have been solved for a homogeneous plasma in simple geometry, allowance being made for finite viscosity. Here, scaling laws giving the radial extent of the arc current are obtained. In addition, electrodes with finite cross sections are treated. The results of model calculations agree well with experimental data. Generally, the model is applicable, if the angular frequency of the plasma is small compared with the ion gyration frequency.