Spectroscopic study of plasma flow created by a magnetoplasma compressor

Abstract

Magnetoplasma compressor with a semi-transparent electrode system that operates in the ion current transfer regime is studied. The thermodynamic parameters of the discharge and the compression plasma flow generated in N 2 +5 % H 2 mixture at 500 Pa pressure with input energy 4.9 kJ have been measured. Special construction of the accelerator electrode system enable the electrode shielding by the self-magnetic field resulting in protection from the erosion. Fully predominant N II spectrum is observed in the compression plasma flow. The plasma flow velocity, electron temperature and electron density maximum values are measured close to 35 km/s, 4 eV and 2 × 10 16 cm -3 , respectively. © Institute of Physics, Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic 2006.