Ion Electrostatic Acceleration in a Pulsed Micro Plasma

Abstract

Temporal lowering of gas pressure and density after expansion of pulsed arc was utilized for acceleration of ions in a micro plasma. The device consists of three electrodes: two axial electrodes for producing arc plasma, and an electrode in the radial direction for accelerating ions. A shockwave is driven by expanding plasma, and surrounding air is swept out of the volume between electrodes. An ion sheath was formed around electrodes and accelerating voltage (voltage across ion sheath) of several hundred volts was obtained