1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
▲ [20p-P4-39] Magnetic enhancements of ion densities effusing from a low power atmospheric pressure Ar plasma
Keywords:atmospheric pressure plasma, magnet enhancement, ion density
Tungsten inert gas employs magnetic field using permanent magnets and electromagnets to increase power density, enhance temperature distribution, and improve the performance in plasma arc welding. In general, addition of magnetic field could enhance plasma characteristics due to magnetic confinement by the Lorentz force, and plasma expansion and diffusion in a magnetic field according to Ohm’s law. Although the effect is complex in atmospheric plasma due to short mean free path, increase in the total ion density and specific ion density of each ion species were observed using 86 Gauss Neodymium permanent magnet. Theoretically, the magnetic field intensity B should exceed [mµeE]/[eλe] to be significant for an electron trajectory in atmospheric pressure plasma where m is mass of electron, e is electron charge, λe is mean free path, µe is mobility of electron and E is local electric field. By varying magnetic field of permanent magnets and electromagnets, magnetic enhancement of ion densities effusing from low power atmospheric pressure Ar plasma.