Energy transfer efficiency of a spherical theta pinch

A pulsed inductive plasma source for vacuum ultraviolet generation and plasma stripper applications with an operating frequency of 12 kHz has been developed. The setup consists of a series resonance circuit with a load capacitance of 27 μF and a large diameter induction coil surrounding a spherical discharge vessel with a discharge volume of 4000 ml. Measurements have been made to evaluate the transfer efficiency of the pulsed inductive discharge in argon with 2.8% hydrogen at gas pressures from 0.6 up to 100 Pa at load voltages from 4 to 8 kV. Pulsed coil currents reached a maximum value of 18 kA with current rise times of 2 kA/μs while achieving a maximum energy transfer efficiency of 85% between the driving circuit and the plasma. Pulsed power peak values inside the plasma were higher than 2 MW fore pulse energies of 1 kJ. The experimental evidence suggests that the high transfer efficiency obtained with the spherical theta pinch is due to the improved transformer coupling between primary circuit and d...

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