Investigation of electrokinetic, spectral, and optical characteristics of low-frequency induction discharge of the transformer type. Content 1. Brief review of world researches. 2. The goal of present investigation. 3. Methodological and technical base. 4. Short review of our achievements. 5. Main stages, prospective researching results. 6. Experimental apparatus. 7. Further project development. Technical/engineering applications of the results. REC “Plasma”, Petrazavodsk State University, Karelia, Russia, Institute of Thermophysics, Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia Proposal # Y1-P I1I1I1I1 I discharge Magnetic core Primary winding Plasma coil ФmФm Scheme of transformer-coupled induction discharge (later as TCID)

1. Brief review of world researches Light source applications Plasma source applications J.J. Thomson, 1927  one of the first investigation of RF- excited discharges C.R. Nisewanger, J.R Holmes and G.L. Weissler, 1941  first using of the RF-discharge as spectroscopic sources. J.M. Andersen, 1970s  first investigation of the transformer-coupled induction discharge in the mixture of mercury (3-6 mTorr) and argon (2Torr). R. Piejak, V. Godyak, and B. Alexandrovich, mid-1990s  electric field dependencies for neon, xenon, argon. Our team (Ulanov I.M., Kolmakov K.N., Isupov M.V., Litvinsev A. Yu.), since mid-1990s  electric field dependencies, spectral and photometrical characteristics of neon, argon, xenon, air, nitrogen, mixture of mercury, and sulfur. H.U. Eckert, 1971  creation and experimental study of argon low pressure plasma generator; suggested basic interrelations between geometrical and electromagnetic scales for proper operation of the discharge; could not ignite a stable discharge at atmospheric pressure. V.M. Gol’dfarb, et al., 1979  experimental study of electric characteristics of the plasma generator at low pressure in argon; could not ignite a stable discharge at atmospheric pressure. J.J. Gonzalez, A. Shabalin, 2003  modeling of the temporal variation of voltage and current across the sheath and along the chamber in conductive and dielectric vessels. Our team (Ulanov I.M., Kolmakov K.N., Isupov M.V., Litvinsev A. Yu.) since mid-1990s  creation and experimental study of high pressure (1-2 atm) induction plasma generator in argon, air, nitrogen, oxygen, mixtures of CO2 and natural gas; studying of NO-synthesis process, ozone synthesis and natural gas conversion in transformer- coupled induction plasma generator. Investigation of electrokinetic, spectral, and optical characteristics of low-frequency induction discharge of the transformer type.

2. The goal of present investigation Application background: Application background: Knowledge of empirical scaling laws is of paramount importance in designing a practical TCID devices (gas-discharge light sources, plasma source and high power gas ion laser) and is an effective lever to control and optimize device performance. Basic research background: Basic research background: Knowledge of external electrical characteristics of the TCID plasmas, such as electric field and current distribution; the electron energy distribution function, and emissive properties depending on gas pressure, rf power, and driving frequency will allow to generate a large experimental database suitable for comparison with the results of ongoing theoretical and modeling activities and to recognize some new features in the EEDF and the electromagnetic field structure of TCID. Investigation of electrokinetic, spectral, and optical characteristics of low-frequency induction discharge of the transformer type. Dependencies of electric field strength, resonance and nonresonance radiation output, concentration and energy of electrons as a function of operation frequency, current density, a gas pressure, magnitude of external magnetic field. Developing of empirical laws and engineering chart-table of main geometric and technical parameters as a function of required discharge characteristics in order to simplify creation of commercial TCID devices.

3. Methodological and technical base. Investigation of electrokinetic, spectral, and optical characteristics of low-frequency induction discharge of the transformer type.

4. Short review of our current achievements. Investigation of electrokinetic, spectral, and optical characteristics of low-frequency induction discharge of the transformer type. 1 New analysis of electrical characteristics and form-factor of transformer-coupled induction plasma generator was developed. 2 New experimental data concerning the electrical field strength depending on a gas pressure, a discharge current, a flow-rate, and a gas-dynamics of flow (vortex or non-vortex flow) were obtained for some rare gages, air, nitrogen, hydrogen. It was shown that dependencies of electrical and optical characteristics of the transformer-coupled induction discharge on current density, tube diameter, and pressure coincide qualitatively with those of dc discharges. 3 Plasma-chemical processes such as NO-synthesis, O3-synthesis, natural gas conversion were studied. It was shown, the transformer-coupled plasma generator could be used in plasma-chemical technologies of NO production and natural gas conversion. Prototype of such induction plasma generator was created. 4 Preliminary data concerning emissive and optical properties of the transformer-coupled discharge in vapors of mercury, sulfur and rare gases were obtain. Results of carried out research have shown the possibilities of creation of high power (up to 50kW) and high effective gas-discharge light sources based on the transformer-coupled discharge. Prototype of such light sources were created.

5. Main stages, prospective researching results. 1 st year: 1.1. Study of neon discharge in order to develop new kind of induction neon light sources Study of neon-xenon discharge in order to develop Hg-free fluorescent induction light sources Study of cadmium induction discharge. 2 nd year: 2.1. Study of transformer-coupled induction discharge in vapors of metal iodides. 3 rd year: 3.1. Investigation of argon induction (pulsed/continual) discharge under external magnetic field in order to study the possibility of creation high power induction ion lasers. Investigation of electrokinetic, spectral, and optical characteristics of low-frequency induction discharge of the transformer type. modification of experimental setup; finding of optimal conditions of electrical power input transformation into emission power of 580  730 nm spectral range of Ne, VUV radiation of Xe and reso- nance and non-resonance radiation of cadmium discharges; radial and longitudinal distribution of electric field strength, concentration and energy of electrons depending on pressure, frequency of operation, and current density. electric field distribution, radiation output, concentration and energy of electrons depending on metal iodides pressure (bulb temperature), rare gas pressure, frequency of operation, current density. building/modification of experimental setup; radial and longitudinal distribution of electric field strength, laser radiation output, concentration and energy of electrons depending on argon pressure, frequency of operation, current density, and external magnetic field strength.

6. Experimental apparatus. Investigation of electrokinetic, spectral, and optical characteristics of low-frequency induction discharge of the transformer type. Available setup Developed setup Note: Some of experiments will be done under sealed off discharge chamber

7. Further project development. Technical/engineering applications of the results. Investigation of electrokinetic, spectral, and optical characteristics of low-frequency induction discharge of the transformer type. Possible further development of project: Accumulated scientific and technical potential could be used in designing of new devices based on TCID: Possible further development of project: 1. Investigation of plasma-chemical reactions under conditions of transformer-coupled induction discharge; 2. Study of electrical and emissive properties of CO2 discharge in order to develop IR induction lasers; 3. Study of sodium transformer-coupled induction discharge with the purpose of designing of high efficiency light sources. Accumulated scientific and technical potential could be used in designing of new devices based on TCID: 1. Developing of high power impulse/continue lamps; 2. Designing of sodium induction lamps; 3. Creation of compact, high power disinfectant devices with unlimited life time; 4. Developing of new type of gas discharge lasers for industrial applications; 5. Developing of new type of RF-etching devices for semiconductor industry applications; 6. Designing of plasma-chemical reactors for natural gas conversion and decomposition/utilization of wastes. Neutral filter 1:100 Compact high power (500 W) Ne induction lamp Induction plasma generator ( W)