Observations of the emission processes of a fast capillary discharge operated in nitrogen

Author： Valdivia M P Wyndham E S Favre M Valenzuela J C Chuaqui H Bhuyan H

ISSN： 0963-0252

Source： Plasma Sources Science and Technology, Vol.21, Iss.2, 2012-04, pp. : 25011-25020

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Abstract

We present observations of the emission characteristics of the plasma processes of a low inductance, sub Joule, compact capillary discharge, when operated in nitrogen at up to 600 Hz. A quarter period of under 10 ns is achieved allowing currents of order 5 kA. Four geometries are explored: two lengths, 21 and 36 mm, and two internal diameters, 1.6 and 3.2 mm. Transient hollow cathode fast electrons are associated with enhanced soft x-ray emission at shorter wavelengths with measured output energies of N VI at 28.8 Å as compared with a Maxwellian plasma. Time-integrated spectroscopy together with filtered diode signals, and with spatial resolution, reveals a small axial emitting plasma close to the anode. Optical time-resolved spectroscopy gives larger scale plasma parameters both of the anode and the cathode plasmas. This volume plasma covers the range 2–8 eV, while the x-ray emitting plasma covers 10–20 eV, according to geometry. Nitrogen metastable emission is also observed in the hollow cathode volume prior to breakdown. Both internal wall diameter and capillary length affect both the spectrum and the x-ray emitting volume as does the axial pressure gradient. Electron beams from the transient hollow cathode are associated in model spectra with the observed N VI, O VI and Al VII–X ionization stages. Operating conditions that affect the spectral purity and discharge characteristics include the internal pressure gradient and nitrogen to helium mix ratio. We discuss the suitability of the capillary geometries as a soft x-ray source and in the context of available computer models.