The production of plasma pulses with convoluted arc columns in atmospheric pressure air

Experimental results for the operation of a device which generates radially propagating pulses of plasma are reported. These are produced from a convoluted arc plasma column formed using a suitably configured magnetic field (B-field). Both quasi-steady-current and alternating-current arc plasmas in atmospheric pressure air have been studied. High-speed photographic records of the convoluted plasma column during the main arcing phase are presented along with video images of propagating plasma clouds formed when the B-field and arc current collapse. Measured time variations of current and arc voltage during the main current phase are correlated with features on the photographic records. Results are presented, showing the effect of different operating conditions upon the propagation rates of the plasma pulses.