Plasma Physics and Technology journal

Plasma Physics and Technology Journal
Volume 1 (2014)

Number 1

Express Method for Diagnosing Microwave Plasmatron Work Stability within the Range of Plasma-Inducing Gas Pressures

S.V. Bordusau, S.I. Madveika, A.P. Dostanko

Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, P.Brovki 6, Minsk, 220013, Belarus

An express method of microwave plasmatron work stability diagnostics within the range of gas at low pressure has been worked out. Its use makes possible to reduce the duration of process of defining gas pressure value characterized by high repetition in time of the impulse plasma forming process.

Keywords: microwave plasma, stability, optimal gas pressure

* * *

Magnetosonic Waves and Current Relaxation

Silveira F. E. M.

Centro de Ciencias Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Rua Santa Adelia, 166, Bairro Bangu, CEP 09.210-170, Santo Andre, SP, Brazil

In this work, inertial and diffusive effects are rediscussed on the propagation of magnetosonic waves in plasmas of finite conductivity, with basis on an extension of Ohm's law. It is shown that when such effects are strong, the discussion can be pursued by defining suitably a perturbative parameter with the dimension of speed. The results presented here are part of a program which aims to investigate the influ-ence of inertia due to charged species on the propagation of hydromagnetic waves and instabilities in resistive plasmas.

Keywords: magnetosonic waves, magnetic diffusivity, Ohm's law

* * *

Radiation Heat Transfer in Thermal Argon Plasma with Iron Vapors

Bartlova M.¹, Bogatyreva N.¹, Aubrecht V.²

¹ Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Department of Physics, Technicka 8, 616 00 Brno, Czech Republic
² Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Centre for Re-search and Utilization of Renewable Energy, Technicka 10, 616 00 Brno, Czech Republic

The objective of this paper consists of approximate calculations of thermal radiation heat transfer in ar-gon arc plasma with admixtures of iron vapors. As a mathematical tool, the P1-approximation has been used. To simplify the calculations, the frequency dependence of absorption coefficients has been handled by means of Planck and Rosseland averaging methods. Calculations has been performed for isothermal cylindrical plasma of various radii (0.01 to 10 cm) in temperature range 1 000 to 30 000 K.

Keywords: radiation transfer, P1-approximation, mean absorption coefficients

* * *

Fast tracking abstracts for volume 1, number 1.

Volume 1, Number 2

Interaction of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jets with Liquids

Reuter S.^1,2, Schmidt-Bleker A.^1,2, Tresp H.^1,2,Winter J.^1,2, Iseni S.^1,2, Hammer M.^1,2, Dünnbier M.^1,2, Weltmann K.-D.¹

¹ Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology INP Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff Str. 2 17489 Greifswald
² ZIK plasmatis, Felix-Hausdorff Str. 2 17489 Greifswald

In this work, the interaction of atmospheric pressure plasmas with liquids is investigated. On the example of hydrogen peroxide, generation and transport mechanisms are studied from the plasma to the gas- and liquid phase. Interaction with the ambient surroundings is investigated and effects of nitrogen and oxygen species on the plasma dynamics a well as on the reactive species generation in the liquid phase are discussed.

Keywords: atmospheric pressure plasma jet, plasmas and liquids, reactive species, optical diagnostics

* * *

Application of Plasma Nitriding in Medical Implants Post-Processing

Misiruk I.O.^{1, 2}, Timoshenko O.I.¹, Taran V.S.¹, Garkusha I.E.^{1, 2}

¹ Institute of Plasma Physics, NSC "Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology", Akademichna St.1,61108 Kharkiv, Ukraine
² V.N.Karazin Kharkiv National University, School of Physics and Technology, 4 Svobody sq., Kharkiv, 61022, Ukraine

The features of titanium implants nitriding in the dense stream of nitrogen ions generated in non-selfmaintained gaseous discharge with a hollow anode are investigated. We have determined that nitriding process in such type of discharge is much more intense than in the non-self-maintained discharge with a planar anode wherein there is no dense flux of ions. It has been found also that the rate of nitriding of surfaces oriented tangentially to the flux of ions exceeds the rate of nitriding of surfaces oriented perpendicular to the flux.

Keywords: medical implant, nitriding, non-self-maintained discharge, nitrided layer.

* * *

Effects of Magnetic System Unbalance on Magnetron Sputtering Characteristics

Golosov D.A., Melnikov S.N., Zavadski S.M.

Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, 6 P.Brovka str., 220013 Minsk, Belarus

Deposition rate and ion current density distribution profiles at DC magnetron sputtering of Al, Ti and Cu targets were studied as functions of the process parameters and level of magnetron unbalance. Based on the experimental data the distributions of the ion-to-atom ratio on the condensing surface under various deposition modes were calculated. It was established that in the case of DC magnetron sputtering the ion-to-atom ratio on the condensing surface increased if the sputtering yield of the target's material dropped down. The minimal energy impact on the growing film and the most uniform distribution profile of the ion-to-atom ratio were achieved by applying the I-type unbalanced magnetron system.

Keywords: magnetron sputtering, deposition rate, substrate's ion current, ion-to-atom ratio

* * *

Simulation of Initial Stage of Nanosecond Volume High Pressure Gas Discharge

Kozhevnikov V. Yu.^{1, 2}, Kozyrev A. V.^{1, 2}, Semeniuk N.S.^{1, 2}

¹ Institute of High Current Electronics, 2/3 Akademichesky ave., Tomsk 634055, Russia
² Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin ave., Tomsk, 634050, Russia.

The initial stage simulation of a nanosecond volume gas discharge under high pressures is presented. The ionization phenomena and charged particles transfer are investigated in the context of the local-field model base on the 1D system of hydrodynamic equations. The continuity equations are solved numerically, and the electric field is calculated from quadrature solution of Poisson's equation. The new details of the formation mechanism of the glow discharge were discovered.

Keywords: glow discharge, gas discharge formation, cathode layer of glow discharge

* * *

Interaction of Low Energy Deuterium Plasma With Tungstenand Nano-Structured Tungsten Coatings:from Laboratory Data to Tokamak

Ogorodnikova O.V.^1,2

¹ Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, Boltzmannstr. 2, D-85748 Garching, Germany
² National Research Nuclear University "MEPHI", Kashirskoe sh.31, Russia

The objective of this work is to compare the deuterium retention in bulk tungsten and tungsten coatings exposed to deuterium plasma in well-defined laboratory conditions and complicate tokamak conditions and make reliable prediction for future fusion reactors.

Keywords: nano-structured tungsten coatings, deuterium plasma, radiation-induced damage

* * *

Fast tracking abstracts for volume 1, number 2.

Volume 1, Number 3

Development of a Pulse Vacuum Arc Discharge in the Gap Containing an Insulator Sputtered with Electrode Material

Losenko D.S., Sokolov A.B.

The Federal State Unitary Enterprise All-Russia Research Institute of Automatics, 22, ul. Sushchevskaya, Moscow 127055, Russia.

The paper addresses a breakdown of a vacuum gap containing an insulator sputtered with electrode material. A mechanism for development of repeated discharges in the given electrode configuration is described.

Keywords: electrodes, arc discharge, cathode spot

* * *

Studies on Dynamic Pressure of Compression Plasma Flow

Astashynski V.M.¹, Sari A.H.², Ananin S.I.¹, Kostyukevich E.A.¹, Shoronov P.N.², Kuzmitski A.M.¹

¹A.V. Luikov Heat and Mass Transfer Institute, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 15, P. Brovki Str., Minsk 220072, Belarus
² B.I. Stepanov Institute of Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 70 Nezavisimosti Ave., Minsk 220072, Belarus

The temporal evolution of dynamic pressure of a compression plasma flow, generated by a magneto-plasma compressor, was investigated in a range of initial voltages from 2 to 4.5 kV by an interferometric method. The main advantages of the method are that it is insusceptible to electromagnetic noises and mechanical vibrations, requires no calibration procedures and ensures local readings from small areas. Depending on the initial voltage, the pressure values varied from 0.7 to 16 atm.

Keywords: compression plasma flow, pressure, magneto-plasma compressor

* * *

Interaction of Spatially Localized LHW with Banana Particles

Krlin L., Fuchs V., Panek R., Paprok R., Seidl J.

Institute of Plasma Physics ASCR, Prague 8, Za Slovankou 3, 182 00, Czech Republic

The paper proposes a novel mechanism of LHW stochastic acceleration of electrons in a tokamak.

Keywords: anomalous acceleration, stochasticity, lower hybrid waves, banana particles, tokamaks

* * *

Propagation of extraordinary laser beam in cold magnetized plasma

Paknezhad A.

Young Researchers Club, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran

This article studies the evolution of spot size of an intense extraordinary laser beam in cold, transversely magnetized plasma. Due to the relativistic nonlinearity, the plasma dynamic is modified in the presence of transversely magnetic filed. In order to specify the evolution of the spot size of extraordinary laser beam, nonlinear current density is set up and the source dependent expansion method is used. It is shown that enhancing the external magnetic field decreases the spot-size of laser beam significantly, and thus the self-focusing effect becomes more important due to the extraordinary property of laser beam.

Keywords: spot size, extraordinary laser beam, transversely magnetized plasma, self-focusing

* * *

Generation of Collisionless Shocks by Laser-Plasma Piston in Magnetised Background: Experiment “BUW”

Zakharov Yu.P.¹, Ponomarenko A.G.¹, Terekhin V.A.², Antonov V.M.¹, Boyarintsev E.L.¹, Melekhov A.V.¹, Posukh V.G.¹, Shaikhislamov I.F.¹

¹1Institute of Laser Physics (ILP) SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Av. Lavrentyeva13/3, 630090, Russia
²2All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Experimental Physics (VNIIEF), Sarov, Av. Mira 37, 607188, Russia

Theoretical basis and main results of the first successful large-scale, Laser-Plasma experiment “BUW”, on generation of Collisionless Shock Wave in magnetised Background Plasma, are presented. Our classic approach is based on the action of so called Magnetic Laminar Mechanism (or Larmor coupling) for collisionless interaction between interpenetrating super-Alfvenic plasma flows of Laser-Plasma and Background in transverse magnetic field.

Keywords: laser, plasma, shock wave, magnetic field, collisionless interaction

* * *

Volume Discharge in Helium nearby Atmospheric Pressure: Uniformity and Stability

Kurbanismailov V.S.¹, Omarov O.A. ¹, Ragimhanov G.B.¹ and Aliverdiev A.A. ^1,2

¹ Dagestan State University, Gadjieva Str. 43A, 367025, Makhachkala, Russia
² Institute for Geothermal Researches DSC of Russian Academy of Sciences - Pr. Shamilya 30A, 367030, Makhachkala, Russia

We have experimentally studied electric and time-spatial characteristics of volume discharge and transition from a volume burning stage to a channel stage nearby atmospheric pressure. We have shown that in conditions of strong preliminary ionization the discharge has a volume structure of the current in a wide range of initial voltage, and the duration of this stage decreases with the growth of current density and gas pressure.

Keywords: discharge formation, volume discharge, streamer discharge, high-pressure, plasma

* * *

Effect of Third Harmonic Generation on the Growth Rate of Raman Forward Scattering of an X-mode Laser Pulse in Magnetized Cold Plasma

Paknezhad A.

Young Researchers Club, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran

Nonlinear Raman forward scattering (NRFS) in the propagation of an X-mode laser pulse in a magnetized cold plasma channel is analyzed for the third harmonic scattered waves. 3rd harmonic nonlinear wave equation is set up to obtain the coupling equations and dispersion relation of excited upper-hybrid wave. Using Fourier transform and matching condition, the nonlinear growth rate of third harmonic NRFS is analytically calculated. It is shown that unlike the fundamental NRFS, the growth rate of third harmonic NRFS instability increases by increasing the external magnetic field.

Keywords: third harmonic NRFS, X-mode laser pulse, upper-hybrid wave, growth rate

* * *

Scrape-off Layer Width of Parallel Heat Flux on Tokamak COMPASS

Loureiro J.¹, Silva C.¹, Horacek J.², Adamek J.², Stockel J.²

¹ Instituto de Plasmas e Fusao Nuclear, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
² Institute of Plasma Physics AS CR, Za Slovankou 3, 182 00 Praha 8, Czech Republic

Edge plasmas in the divertor configuration were studied on the COMPASS tokamak. The dependence of the decay length of the parallel heat flux q_||> was measured at different values of plasma current and line-averaged density. We have found that q_|| decreases with both the plasma current and the line-averaged density, which is in agreement with previous results achieved on the JET tokamak.

Keywords: tokamak, edge turbulent transport, Scrape-Off layer, Langmuir probe, Ball-pen probe

* * *

Non-Stationary Optical Transmission Spectra of Inhomogeneous Plasma of Nanosecond Electrical Discharges near Narrow Spectral Absorption Lines

Ashurbekov N., Iminov K., Shakhsinov G., Ramazanov A.

Dagestan State University, Faculty of Physics, 43a Gadjieva St., 367000 Makhachkala, Republic of Dagestan, Russian Federation

Non-stationary optical plasma transmission spectra of high-speed ionization waves in cylindrical plasma waveguides filled with neon gas in the pressure range of 1-60 Torr have been experimentally investigated. The analysis of the results obtained in the experimental study of transmission spectra of nanosecond discharge plasma shows that in the propagation of laser irradiation at an angle to the axis of the plasma waveguide, the classical ratio for absorption by Beer-Lambert law is shifting.

Keywords: ionization waves, nanosecond discharge, nonlinear phenomena

* * *

Plasma Assisted Fabrication of Zinc Oxide Based Nanostructures

Burakov V.¹, Kiris V.¹, Nedelko M.¹, Sobolev N.², Tarasenko N.¹

¹ B.I. Stepanov Institute of Physics of National Academy of Sciences of Belarus,68 Nezalezhnasti Ave., 220072 Minsk, Belarus
² Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Fisica, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal

ZnO/Ag nanocomposite structures were prepared by using a discharge with an atmospheric pressure microplasma cathode and a solid metal anode immersed in an electrolyte solution and their properties were studied. The effect of Ag on the microstructure and optical properties of ZnO has been discussed.

Keywords: plasma in contact with liquid, ZnO nanostuctures, optical properties

* * *

Effect of Plasma Treatment on Corrosion Layers of Bronze

Mazankova V.¹, Krcma F.¹, Fojtikova P.¹, Mika F.²

¹ Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Physical and Applied Chemistry, Purkynova 118, Brno 612 00 , Czech Republic
² Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Academy of Sciences Czech Republic, v.v.i., Kralovopolska 147,
Brno 612 00, Czech Republic

Plasma chemical process for conservation of metallic objects is a relatively new way of effective and fast treatment of corroded objects. Removal of corrosion products is based on plasma chemical reduction of corrosion layers by radio-frequency (RF) low pressure hydrogen plasma. Model corrosion layers on bronze were studied. SEM/EDX analyses on corroded and treated samples were performed.

Keywords: corrosion layer removal, RF hydrogen plasma, bronze, SEM/EDX

* * *

Generation of Electron Beam Plasma inside the Dielectric Tube

Zolotukhin D., Burdovitsin V. and Oks E.

Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics, 40, Lenin ave., Tomsk, 634050, Russia

The results of experimental study of electron beam plasma inside the dielectric tube are presented. Beam plasma was generated by the fore-vacuum plasma electron source at 2-10 Pa in DC mode. It is shown, that the dependence of the plasma potential on gas pressure inside the tube is completely different in comparison with similar dependence without a tube. Monotonic dependence of the insulated beam collector potential in the tube on beam energy has two stages: slow and fast growth.

Keywords: electron beam plasma, fore-vacuum plasma electron source, dielectric tube

* * *

High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering of CIGS Thin Films for High Efficiency Thin Film Solar Cells

Olejnicek J.¹, Hubicka Z.¹, Kohout M. ¹, Ksirova P. ¹, Kment S.¹, Brunclikova M.¹, Cada M.¹, Darveau S.A.², Exstrom C.L.²

¹ Institute of Physics of ASCR, Department of Low-Temperature Plasma, Na Slovance 2, Praha 8, Czech Republic
² University of Nebraska at Kearney, Department of Chemistry, Kearney, 905 W. 25th St., NE 68849-1150, USA

In this work CuIn_1-xGa_xSe₂ (CIGS) thin films with three different values of x (0; 0.28; 1) were prepared by nonreactive sputtering of Cu, In and Ga in HiPIMS (High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering) or DC magnetron and subsequently selenized in an Ar+Se atmosphere. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was used to monitor some basic plasma parameters during sputtering of metallic precursors. CIGS thin film characteristics were measured using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and other techniques.

Keywords: CIGS, HiPIMS, emission spectroscopy, thin films, magnetron sputtering

* * *

High Rate Removal of Photoresist Films in the Microwave Discharge Afterglow in Oxygen

Bordusau S.V., Madveika S.I.

Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, P.Brovki 6, Minsk, 220013, Belarus

The results of experimental investigation of the process of removing photoresistive protection layers in oxygen microwave discharge afterglow are presented. The process demonstrated good characteristics and may be successfully used in very-large-scale integration circuits (VLSI) processing in automated manu-facture conditions.

Keywords: oxygen microwave discharge, photoresist removal

* * *

Optical Emission Spectroscopy and Electrical Study of High Power Thermal Arc Plasma Switching Device

Mohsenian S.¹, Fathi J.¹, Shokri B.^1,2

¹ Shahid Beheshti University, Laser and Plasma Institute, Evin, Tehran, Iran.
² Shahid Beheshti University, Department of Physics, Evin, Tehran, Iran.

In this work, an atmospheric thermal plasma arc generated from a laboratory scale high power arc switching device was investigated. In the presented study the typical voltage and current profiles from the arc switching device were measured by a high voltage probe and a Rogowski coil. It was shown that the volt-ampere characteristic of the arc plasma is directly related to the distance between electrodes. This switching device has a pulse width range of approximately 120 ns. Furthermore, the optical emission spectroscopy techniques were used to measurement of the arc temperature and to identify the plasma active species. The calculated arc temperature is about 14000 K.

Keywords: atmospheric thermal arc plasma, switching device, arc voltage, arc temperature

* * *

H₂ Formation on the Dust Grain Surface in Divertor Plasma

Bakhtiyari-Ramezani M.¹, Mahmoodi J.², Alinejad N.¹

¹ Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), 14395-836, Tehran, Iran
² Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Qom University, Qom, Iran

Edge plasma of divertor in tokamak is characterized by different values of plasma parameters (plasma density and temperature), plasma composition and overcoming plasma dynamics processes. We survey a model for theoretical study of the interaction of hydrogen with dust surface and apply our results the H₂ formation on dust grain surfaces in the divertor. In this model, considering both physisorbed and chemisorbed sites on the grain surface and then adatoms mobility to go from one site to other site by thermal diffusion, describes the formation of H₂ on grain surfaces. We find H₂ formation rate on the high temperature dust surfaces in divertor for a range of dust and gas temperatures and densities.

Keywords: dust, plasma, divertor, tokamak

* * *

3D Integrated Micro-solution Plasma for The Treatment of Water
- Effects of Discharge Gases -

Nomura A, Himeno Y, Tanaka K, and Shirafuji T.

Osaka City University, Department of Physical Electronics and Informatics 3-3-138 Sugimoto,
Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585 Japan

Methylene blue molecules in aqueous solution have been decomposed by using a novel 3D integrated micro-solution plasma reactor operated with Ar and He gases. Energy efficiency for methylene-blue decomposition in the case of Ar is relatively higher than that in the case of He. This result suggests that cheaper Ar gas has brought about superior performance in water purification. In both cases of Ar and He, methylene-blue decomposition efficiency is one order of magnitude higher than that of conventional solution plasma.

Keywords: helium, argon, bubble, plasma, liquid, water, purification

* * *

Production of High Energy Electrons in Microwave Plasma

Kogoshi S., Hagisaka W., Katayama N.

Tokyo University of Science, Faculty of Science & Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba, Japan

High energy electrons are produced and play an important role such as radical particle production in microwave plasma. It was investigated how high energy electrons were produced through PIC-MCC simulations. The results show that the high energy electrons gain their energy when they pass the E-field of a resonantly excited electron plasma wave by a microwave around cut-off density, and the acquisition energy depends on the timing and their velocity of electrons entering into a resonant region.

Keywords: high energy electron, PIC-MCC, surface-wave plasma, microwave plasma

* * *

Glow Discharge Mixture of Ar/He

Reyes P.G.¹, Torres C.¹, Gomez A.¹, Torres J.¹, Martinez H.², Vergara J.³

¹ Laboratorio de Fisica Avanzada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico, C.P. 50000, Toluca, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
² Laboratorio de Espectroscopia, Instituto de Ciencias Fisicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, A.P. 48 3, C.P. 62251, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
³ Instituto Profesional de la Region Oriente, Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos, C.P. 62715, Xalostoc, Morelos, Mexico

Glow discharge mixture of Ar/He at a pressure of 266.66 Pa is experimentally investigated by optical emission spectroscopy and double Langmuir probe at various mixture compositions. The species observed were He I and Ar I. The electron temperature was found to be less than 10 eV, and the ion density in the order of 1010 cm^-3.

Keywords: glow discharge, gas mixture, Grotrian diagrams

* * *

Radiation Heat Transfer in Thermal Argon Plasma with Iron Vapors

Bartlova M.¹, Bogatyreva N.¹, Aubrecht V.²

Keywords: radiation transfer, P1-approximation, mean absorption coefficients