A non-equilibrium plasma source: magnetically stabilized gliding arc discharge: I. Design and diagnostics

Previous studies of the gliding arc (GA) plasma have shown that the highest degree of non-equilibrium is obtained at the maximum length of elongation of the discharge. In order to better understand the properties of the discharge in this mode of operation, a system was developed wherein the GA is stabilized by a magnetic field. The GA is driven as a single unit in the direction governed by the Lorentz force. The discharge reactor is designed in such a way that the plasma moves continuously without further elongation or extinction, while electrical parameters can be carefully controlled. This paper presents the experimentally measured effects of plasma current on (a) the motion of plasma, (b) the presence of an 'overshooting' regime, (c) voltage characteristics and (d) rotational and vibrational temperatures, when operating in air at atmospheric pressure.