Observations of Nonlinear Behavior in a Low-Pressure Discharge Column.

Abstract

Sudden and abrupt jumps in the plasma density and discharge current of low-pressure magnetized argon and helium plasmas are observed. These jumps are found to depend on the discharge bias voltage, the neutral gas pressure, and the magnetic field strength and occur with a substantial hysteresis in those parameters. These jumps are accompanied by the onset of intense and coherent low-frequency plasma oscillations. In addition, under certain conditions, the radial density profile of the plasma is found to be significantly different following a jump. Some possibly related plasma instabilities are discussed. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1983
Accession Number
ADA132321

Entities

People

  • Robert L. Merlino
  • Steven L. Cartier

Organizations

  • University of Iowa

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Base Pressure
  • Classification
  • Contracts
  • Diffusion
  • Electron Density
  • Electrons
  • Fluids
  • Frequency
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Oscillation
  • Physics
  • Plasma Oscillation
  • Security
  • Spectra
  • Universities

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics