Density and temperature measurements of a torch plasma

S. P. Kuo, D. Bivolaru, E. Koretzky

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

A diagnostic method based on microwave absorption is being developed to measure the density and temperature of torch plasma. It uses an arrangement, which streams torch plasma through aligned holes on the bottom and top walls of a rectangular waveguide to act as a dielectric post. The dielectric post has a complex dielectric constant ε = ε′ - j ε″ and can be represented by an equivalent two-port T-circuit with specified shunt and series impedances. Marcuvitz has analyzed this problem in the Waveguide Handbook. The analytical solution is the basis of the diagnostic technique. A 10 GHz microwave and a rectangular waveguide of dimensions 1 in. × 1/2 in. are used in the experiment. The holes on the waveguide top and bottom walls for torch plasma to stream through have a diameter of 1/2 in.. A network analyzer is used to measure the TE10 mode transmission coefficient of this two-port network. Since the amplitude and phase of the transmission coefficient depend on the dielectric property of torch plasma, the measured results establish two independent relations for the two unknowns, the density and temperature, in the dielectric function of torch plasma. The experiment and results will be presented.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)272
Number of pages1
JournalIEEE International Conference on Plasma Science
StatePublished - 2002
Event2002 IEEE International Conference on plasma Science - Banff, Alta., Canada
Duration: May 26 2002May 30 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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