HOT PLASMA PRODUCTION IN QUASI-STEADY ARC DISCHARGES

Results from experimental studies aimed at increasing the temperature and energy in a plasma jet produced by a gas-discharge source are pres ented and used to optimize the operating conditions of the source. Hot -plasma jets with the following parameters are obtained: T-e similar o r equal to 30-50 eV, T-i similar or equal to 200 eV, the plasma densit y n similar or equal to 5 X 10(13) cm(-3), and the specific power of t he jet p similar or equal to 10 kW/cm(2). The possibility of obtaining even higher values of the parameters is demonstrated.