Arc discharges operation in “elion” mode

This paper presents the results of a study of an electron-ion-plasma alitization system using two arc plasma generators: a gas plasma generator based on a non-self-sustained arc discharge with a thermionic cathode “PINK” and a gas-metal plasma generator based on an arc discharge with a cathode spot. The system for discharges supplying and biasing of the samples assumes two sub-modes of operation: the ion cleaning sub-mode (ion sub-mode) and the sub-mode of samples electron heating (electron sub-mode), thus realizing the “elion” mode of the system operation. During the experiments, both the dependences of the average values of currents and voltages of discharges burning and probe measurements of the instantaneous plasma parameters values in both system operating sub-modes were investigated. It is shown, that the electron sub-mode of system operation is characterized by an increased burning voltage, which is caused by the formation of a positive anode drop of more than 10 V in the plasmas. Such a potential distribution in the discharges ensures effective heating of the samples by the discharges plasmas electron component.

Tracks on films and multi-charged clusters

When conducting experiments on the electric explosion of titanium foil in water, a “strange” radiation was detected, leaving dotted traces on the film. The velocity of the carriers of this radiation was estimated as 20–40 m/s, and their energy, estimated by the Coulomb drag mechanism, turned out to be equal to 700 MeV. Subsequently, it was found that similar traces are formed at various types of high-current arc discharges, both of artificial and natural origin. Many solutions have been proposed to explain the nature of “strange” radiation, but none of them describes the details of the process of formation of dotted traces. We believe that these traces on the film could appear due to the action of charged micron-sized clusters. The possibility of the existence of clusters in the form of a nucleus from a certain number of similarly charged ions enclosed in a spherical shell of water molecules is shown. The force of the Coulomb repulsion of ions is compensated by the compression force of the shell polarized by the inhomogeneous electric field created by the nuclear charge. As the cluster approaches the surface of the film, a cluster with a small charge separates from it. It is accelerated in the electric field of a “large” cluster to energy of about 1 GeV. Having received a recoil momentum, a large cluster moves away from the film, braking in an inhomogeneous electric field, and then “falls” onto it again, and the process is repeated.

Selected Properties of High-Frequency Electric Arc Initiators and Stabilisation Oscillators. Part 2. Devices with Compressed Electric Arc

The second part of the overview article discusses general features of the design and operation of selected industrial arc plasma torches. Because of their structural and operating differences, plasma torch power supply systems with internal and partly external arc are discussed separately. Particular attention was paid to the design of electric systems used for the initiation of arc discharges. Because of the fact that the operation of plasma torches with partly external arc is often accompanied by the formation of double arc, the article also presents measures and methods enabling the prevention of the aforesaid unfavourable phenomenon. In addition, the article discusses selected technological properties of plasma torches and micro-plasma torches used for joining, cutting, surfacing and hardening.