Evaluation and analysis of source liners and ejected materials from an electrothermal plasma discharge

Electrothermal plasma sources operating in the confined controlled arc discharge regime generate plasmas which can be used for a wide variety of applications, including materials deposition, mass acceleration devices, and high heat flux material exposure. Such plasmas are produced by capillary arc discharges-discharging high voltage across an insulated sleeve. Energy radiated to the walls of the insulated sleeve is absorbed by the material surface, ablating the material and forming a dense vapor. This vapor ionizes and forms a plasma which acts as a blackbody radiation source, which in turn can provide high heat flux to exposed surfaces. The generated plasma then exits the sleeve at high velocity. A substrate placed at the exit of the sleeve can act as a deposition surface for the ablated material.