Study of the energy distribution within plasma flow generated by magnetoplasma accelerator

Abstract

Magnetoplasma accelerator (MPA) accelerates and compresses plasma formed within the electrode system during the process of capacitor discharge. The lifetime of the compressed plasma flow is around 150 mu s, plasma velocity is up to 100 km/s, electron density and temperature are close to 10(23) m(-3) and 2 eV, respectively. Energy and energy flux density distribution along the axis of discharge have been measured for different working gases: hydrogen, helium with 5% of hydrogen and argon with the aim of determination of the optimal position and type of the gas for investigation of the plasma-material interaction. Steel (type 16 MnCr5) samples have been treated with plasma pulses, using helium with 5% of hydrogen as a working gas. Modification of the steel surface under high thermal loads was studied and roughness and hardness of steel targets were measured before and after plasma treatment. Improvement of physical and mechanical properties of a treated type of steel has been achieved. Additionally, the mean value of the electron density in the region of the plasma-surface interaction has been determined.