An Experimental Investigation of a Vortex Stabilized Arc in an Axial Magnetic Field
Abstract
An experimental program has been conducted to investigate the physical processes occurring in vortex stabilized arcs, with and without an applied axial magnetic field. Arc temperature measurements indicate centerline temperature to be insensitive to arc current and chamber pressure. Centerline temperature was found to decrease when arc length was increased, when orifice area was decreased and when axial magnetic field strength was increased. Magnetic field strength could only be increased to a 'critical' value, at which point the discharge moved off the centerline line of the chamber and attached to its walls. A stability criterion has been derived to estimate the strength of the critical magnetic field. Experimental data agrees very well with the derived expression.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0759187
Entities
People
- Gordon L. Cann