Radial magnetic field in vacuum arc centrifuges

According to theory, a radial component of magnetic field in the driving region of a vacuum arc centrifuge should increase the force and the angular velocity. Experiments with different magnetic field configurations of a vacuum arc centrifuge have been carried out. Langmuir probe measurements have been made as well as cross-correlation measurements of angular velocities. Based on correlation measurements, the column angular velocity increased in the presence of a radial field. This increase was accompanied by a reduction in column radius and ion density. It is concluded that vacuum arc centrifuge designs with a radial magnetic field component should have an improved separative performance.