A MEASUREMENT OF THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF IONIZED GASES
Abstract
Two methods were used in attempts to measure the electrical conductivity of various substances, in particular that of a plasma jet. Transients flowing in a system of coupled circuits were subtracted in such a way that the difference signal is due only to the presence of the conducting material. The amplitude and time decay of the signal are calculable fuctions of the conductivity. This method worked well on graphite, but was too insensitive for aqueous salt (NaCl) solutions. Therefore, it cannot easily be applied to the case of an air arc jet exhaust. The steady-state AC measurement technique was tried next. Resonance properties of a coil coupled to the conducting material were measured and compared to the corresponding properties of the same coil in the absence of the conducting substance. This method was used on salt water in the frequency range of 1-10 mc. It was found to be sufficiently sensitive that the accuracy of the conductivity measurement was expected to be about 10%. Two problems were encountered, however, that were not solved.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 1960
- Accession Number
- AD0607997
Entities
People
- H. E. Wohlwill
- W. R. Grabowsky