Electric Probe Measurements in the Anode Area of a DC Arc Plasma Torch at Low Pressure

Abstrakt

We measured radial profiles of the electric field, plasma electrical potential and electron temperature in the hot anode area of a hybrid water-argon DC arc plasma torch with an external anode. The measurements were made under different values of the ambient pressure, during the restrike mode with a constricted anode arc attachment or during a supersonic mode with a diffuse anode arc attachment.

The results provide first experimental data on plasma electrical potential in that anode area.