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Updated: Sep 25, 2025
07:17
Non-equilibrium Microwave Plasma for Efficient High Temperature Chemistry
Published on: August 1, 2017
12.8K
One-kilojoule pulsed-power generator for laboratory space sciences.
Po-Yu Chang1, Yen-Cheng Lin1, Ming-Hsiang Kuo1
1Institute of Space and Plasma Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 70101, Taiwan.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|April 30, 2022
Summary
A new compact, low-cost pulsed-power facility was assembled for plasma studies. This system achieved 135 kA peak current, enabling plasma jet speeds up to 170 km/s.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Pulsed Power Engineering
- High Energy Density Physics
Background:
- Pulsed-power systems are crucial for generating high-energy-density plasmas.
- Compact and cost-effective facilities are needed for advanced plasma research.
- Previous studies on imploding wire arrays lacked detailed diagnostics for jet dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the assembly of a novel compact, low-cost pulsed-power facility.
- To characterize the performance of the facility for plasma studies.
- To investigate the dynamics of imploding conical-wire arrays.
Main Methods:
- Assembly of a two-module pulsed-power system with minimized impedance.
- Utilized stored energy of 1 kJ, peak current of 135 kA, and a 1592 ns quarter-period.
- Employed time-integrated (visible) and time-resolved laser imaging for diagnostics.
Main Results:
- The facility was successfully assembled and characterized.
- Imploding conical-wire arrays generated plasma jets with speeds up to 170 km/s.
- The system design facilitates improved access to test samples.
Conclusions:
- The developed pulsed-power facility is a viable and cost-effective tool for plasma research.
- The achieved plasma jet speeds are significant for applications in fusion and space environments.
- Future research will focus on high-energy-density plasmas relevant to space, fusion, and spectroscopy.
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