Measurement of electron density and electron temperature of a cascaded arc plasma using laser Thomson scattering compared to an optical emission spectroscopic approach

As advanced linear plasma sources, cascaded arc plasma devices have been used to generate steady plasma with high electron density, high particle flux and low electron temperature. To measure electron density and electron temperature of the plasma device accurately, a laser Thomson scattering（LTS） system, which is generally recognized as the most precise plasma diagnostic method, has been established in our lab in Dalian University of Technology. The electron density has been measured successfully in the region of 4.5？×10^19m^-3 to7.1？×10^20m^-3 and electron temperature in the region of 0.18 eV to 0.58 eV. For comparison,an optical emission spectroscopy（OES） system was established as well. The results showed that the electron excitation temperature（configuration temperature） measured by OES is significantly higher than the electron temperature（kinetic electron temperature） measured by LTS by up to 40% in the given discharge conditions. The results indicate that the cascaded arc plasma is recombining plasma and it is not in local thermodynamic equilibrium（LTE）. This leads to significant error using OES when characterizing the electron temperature in a non-LTE plasma.

Direct Measurements of the Electron Energy Flux versus Electron Temperature Gradient in Tokamak Discharges

Electron thermal transport is one of the most complex processes in fusionplasmas. It is generally described by a simple thermal diffusivity in transport analyses ofdischarges, but there is evidence of critical gradient effects with moderate stiffness. By analyzingperiodic perturbations to an equilibrium, one canmeasure the variations in electron energy flux andelectron temperature gradient over the perturbation cycle, obtaining the flux as a function ofgradient over the range of parameters generated by the perturbation. Although time-dependenttransport analysis is very sensitive to noise in the input data, averaging over many cycles of aperiodic perturbation can provide data of sufficient quality. The analyses presented here are basedon the ECE temperature data with high spatial and temporal resolution and full profile coverage onDIII-D for sawteeth and modulated ECH heating.

Inter-stage line ratio of He- and Li-like Ti emissions for the electron temperature measurement

Under coronal conditions, the steady state rate-equations are used to calculate the inter-stage line ratios between Li-like ls22p(2P3/2)→ls22s(2S1/2) and He-like ls2p(1P1)→1s2(1S0) transitions for Ti in the electronic temperature ranges from 0.1keV to 20 keV. The results show that the temperature sensitivities are higher at the electronic temperature less than 5000 eV and the temperature sensitivities will decrease with the increase of electronic temperature.

Self-heating Probe Instrument and Method for Measuring High Temperature Melting Volume Change Rate of Material

The castings defects are affected by the melting volume change rate of material. The change rate has an important effect on running safety of the high temperature thermal storage chamber, too. But the characteristics of existing measuring installations are complex structure, troublesome operation and low precision. In order to measure the melting volume change rate of material accurately and conveniently, a self-designed measuring instrument, self-heating probe instrument, and measuring method are described. Temperature in heating cavity is controlled by PID temperature controller; melting volume change rate υ and molten density are calculated based on the melt volume which is measured by the instrument. Positive and negative υ represent expansion and shrinkage of the sample volume after melting, respectively. Taking eutectic LiF＋CaF2 for example, its melting volume change rate and melting density at 1 123 K are -20.6% and 2 651 kg/m–3 measured by this instrument, which is only 0.71% smaller than literature value. Density and melting volume change rate of industry pure aluminum at 973 K and analysis pure NaCl at 1 123 K are detected by the instrument too. The measure results are agreed with report values. Measuring error sources are analyzed and several improving measures are proposed. In theory, the measuring errors of the change rate and molten density which are measured by the self-designed instrument is nearly 1/20-1/50 of that measured by the refitted mandril thermal expansion instrument. The self-designed instrument and method have the advantages of simple structure, being easy to operate, extensive applicability for material, relatively high accuracy, and most importantly, temperature and sample vapor pressure have little effect on the measurement accuracy. The presented instrument and method solve the problems of complicated structure and procedures, and large measuring errors for the samples with high vapor pressure by existing installations.

Electronic Structure and Magnetic Properties of Cr-Doped AlN

To understand the electronic and magnetic properties, we have studied Cr-doped zinc-blende AlN system in detail by applying a first-principle plane wave pseudopotential method based on the density functional theory within the local spin density approximation. The analyses of the band structures, density of states, exchange interactions, and magnetic moments show that Al1-xCrxN alloys may exhibit a half-metallic ferromagnetism character, that Cr in the diluted doping limit forms near-midgap deep levels, and that the total magnetization of the cell is 3μB per Cr atom, which does not change with Cr concentration. Moreover, we have succeeded in predicting that Al1-xCrzN alloys in x = 0.0625 has a very high Curie temperature, and lind that ferromagnetic exchange interaction between magnetic dopants is short-ranged.

Plasma Electron Density Measuring and Processing on the J-TEXT Tokamak

Plasma electron density is one of the most fundamental parameters in the study of tokamak plasma physics.The method of plasma electron density measuring and processing on the Joint Texas Experimental Tokamak(J-TEXT) was presented in this paper.The principle of the plasma electron density measuring by hydrogen cyanide(HCN) laser interferometer was introduced.Room temperature triglycine sulface(TGS) detector was used to obtain the beat signal of HCN,and phase difference was measured by high-speed acquisition card DAQ2010.Based on the signal characteristics,a specific HCN processing algorithm was designed to eliminate the baseline offset accurately and process overturns of HCN signals effectively.As a result,plasma electron density with high accuracy and low noise has been obtained during the J-TEXT tokamak experiment.

Langmuir Probe Measurements of an Expanding Argon Plasma

In this work,we studied the effects of the discharge current,gas flow rate and vessel pressure on the electron temperature and density of Ar plasma by Langmuir probe measurement.The argon plasma was created by a one-cathode arc source.The experimental results show that with increasing discharge current and gas flow rate,the electron temperature and density increase.It is found that when the discharge current is 70 A,90 A and HO A at an argon flow rate of2000 seem,the electron densities at about 0.186 m distance from the nozzle are 13.00×10^18 m^-3,14.04×10^18 m^-3 and 15.62×10^18 m^-3,and the electron temperatures are 0.38 eV,0.58 eV and0.71 eV,respectively.The positive I-V characteristic is explained.

Measurement of time-varying electron density of the plasma generated from a small-size cylindrical RDX explosion by Rayleigh microwave scattering

It is challenging to measure the electron density of the unsteady plasma formed by charged particles generated from explosions in the air,because it is transient and on a microsecond time scale.In this study,the time-varying electron density of the plasma generated from a small cylindrical cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine(RDX)explosion in air was measured,based on the principle of microwave Rayleigh scattering.It was found that the evolution of the electron density is related to the diffusion of the detonation products.The application of the Rayleigh microwave scattering principle is an attempt to estimate the electron density in explosively generated plasma.Using the equivalent radius and length of the detonation products in the bright areas of images taken by a high-speed framing camera,the electron density was determined to be of the order of 10^(20)m^(−3).The delay time between the initiation time and the start of variation in the electron-density curve was 2.77–6.93μs.In the time-varying Rayleigh microwave scattering signal curve of the explosively generated plasma,the electron density had two fluctuation processes.The durations of the first stage and the second stage were 11.32μs and 19.20μs,respectively.Both fluctuation processes increased rapidly to a peak value and then rapidly attenuated with time.This revealed the movement characteristics of the charged particles during the explosion.

Self-Absorption Effects on Electron Temperature-Measurements Utilizing Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)-Techniques

In the present work, we have studied the temporal evolution of aluminum alloy plasma produced by the fundamental (1064 nm) of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser by placing the target material in air at atmospheric pressure. The four Al I-neutral lines at 308.21, 309.27, 394.40 and 369.15 nm as well as Al II-ionic lines at 281.61, 385.64 and 466.30 nm are used for the determination of the electron temperature Te using Saha-Boltzmann plot method. The neutral aluminum lines were found to suffer from optical thickness which manifested itself on the form of scattered points around the Saha-Boltzmann line. The isolated optically thin hydrogen Hα-line at 656.27 nm appeared in the spectra under the same experimental conditions was used to correct the Al I-lines which contained some optical thickness. The measurements were repeated at different delay times ranging from 1 to 5 μs. The comparison between the deduced electron temperatures from aluminum neutral lines before correction against the effect self-absorption to that after correction revealed a precise value in temperature. The results sure that, in case of the presence of self-absorption effect the temperature varies from (1.4067 - 1.2548 eV) as the delay time is varied from 0 to 5 μs. Whereas, in the case of repairing against the effect, it varies from (1.2826 - 0.8961 eV) for the same delay time variation.

Cubic anvil cell apparatus for high-pressure and low-temperature physical property measurements

We will build a cubic anvil cell （CAC） apparatus for high-pressure and low-temperature physical property measurements in the synergic extreme condition user facility （SECUF）. In this article, we first introduce the operating principle, the development history, and the current status of the CAC apparatus, and subsequently describe the design plan and technical targets for the CAC in SECUF. We will demonstrate the unique advantages of CAC, i.e., excellent pressure homogeneity and large hydrostatic pressure capacity, by summarizing our recent research progresses using CAC. Finally, we conclude by providing some perspectives on the applications of CAC in the related research fields.

The electronic and magnetic properties of (Mn,C)-codoped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor

The electronic and magnetic properties of （Mn,C）-codoped ZnO are studied in the Perdew Burke-Ernzerhof form of generalized gradient approximation of the density functional theory. By investigating five geometrical configurations, we find that Mn doped ZnO exhibits anti-ferromagnetic or spin-glass behaviour, and there are no carriers to mediate the long range ferromagnetic （FM） interaction without acceptor co-doping. We observe that the FM interaction for （Mn,C）-codoped ZnO is due to the hybridization between C 2p and Mn 3d states, which is strong enough to lead to hole-mediated ferromagnetism at room temperature. Meanwhile, we demonstrate that ZnO co-doped with Mn and C has a stable FM ground state and show that the （Mn,C）-codoped ZnO is FM semiconductor with super-high Curie temperature （Tc =5475 K）. These results are conducive to the design of dilute magnetic semiconductors with codopants for spintronics applications.

Electron Density Response to Phonon Dynamics in MgB₂: An Indicator of Superconducting Properties

Electron density differences resulting from atom displacement patterns aligned with phonon modes in MgB2 have been calculated using density functional theory (DFT). The extent of phonon anomalies, identified as indicators of the superconducting transition temperature, Tc, under a range of conditions in AlB2-type structures, reduce as boron atoms are displaced from their equilibrium positions along E2g mode directions. The Fermi energy for displacements along the directions of the E2g phonon mode accounts for changes in the covalent B-B bond electronic charge density. We applied differential atom displacements to show that the shifted σ band structure associated with the light effective mass became tangential to the Fermi level and that the Fermi surface undergoes a topological transition at a critical relative displacement of ~0.6% of the boron atoms from equilibrium. The difference in Fermi energies at this critical displacement and at the equilibrium position correspond to the superconducting energy gap. The net volume between tubular σ surfaces in reciprocal space correlated with the depth of the phonon anomaly and, by inference, it is a key to an understanding of superconductivity. This ab initioapproach offers a phenomenological understanding of the factors that determine Tc based on knowledge of the crystal structure.

About the Reliability of Particle in Cell Methods and the Notion of a“Local”Temperature of Ionized Species Around a Spacecraft in the Ionosphere

The development of space science has generated important computer codes for the simulation of the interaction between complex space structures(artificial satellites,solar panels,etc.)and the surrounding plasma.The basic equation to be solved is the Poisson equation for the electric potential around a structure.Here,we try to study analytically the shadowing effect of a spacecraft on an electrode for the electron number density and the electron temperature.We suggest that the electron temperature should be taken as a variable and not as a parameter.However,its computation involves the knowledge of the histogram of the distribution of the frequencies of the electron velocities inside the computational cells.Also,we have illustrated the possibilities of artefacts due to the design and geometry of scientific instruments for the measurement of the electron number density and the electron temperature in the ionosphere.We suggest an optimal design for an electrode and its guard ring.

Estimation of plasma parameters in the process of micro-scale powder plastic and characteristics of its products

The temperature and density of plasma jets were estimated with a Boltzmann plot and Stark broadening of Ar I(696.54 nm) lines by optical emission spectroscopy(OES) in the process of plasma plastic, and the morphology and microstructure of tungsten(W) powders were investigated by scanning electron microscope(SEM) and x-ray Diffraction(XRD), respectively.The results show that the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium(LTE) was invalid at the end of the plasma jets, and earlier than this after the injection of tungsten powder. The temperature and electron density of the plasma jets were up to about T?=?6797 K with Qc?=?50 slpm and ne?=?1.05?×?1016 cm-3 with Qs?=?115 slpm at Z?=?60 mm, respectively, and both dropped rapidly with the injected tungsten powders of 20 μm. After the plasma plastic process,the spherical tungsten powders were prepared and there were some satellite particles on the surface of the spherical products. The tungsten powders were both composed of a single equilibrium α-W phase with a body centered cubic(bbc) crystal structure before and after plasma treatment.

Femtosecond laser-induced Cu plasma spectra at different laser polarizations and sample temperatures

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy(LIBS) is a good technique for detecting and analyzing material elements due to the plasma emission produced by the high-power laser pulse. Currently, a significant topic of LIBS research is improving the emission intensity of LIBS. This study investigated the effect of laser-polarization on femtosecond laser-ablated Cu plasma spectra at different sample temperatures. The measured lines under circularly polarized lasers were higher than those under linearly and elliptically polarized lasers. The enhancement effect was evident at higher Cu temperatures when comparing the plasma spectra that have circular and linear polarizations for different target temperatures. To understand the influence of laser-polarization and sample temperature on signal intensity, we calculated the plasma temperature(PT)and electron density(ED). The change in PT and ED was consistent with the change in the atomic lines as the laser polarization was being adjusted. When raising the Cu temperature, the PT increased while the ED decreased. Raising the Cu temperature whilst adjusting the laser-polarization is effective for improving the signal of femtosecond LIBS compared to raising the initial sample temperature alone or only changing the laser polarization.

Time-resolved spectroscopy of collinear femtosecond and nanosecond dual-pulse laser-induced Cu plasmas

In this paper,we investigate the time-resolved spectroscopy of collinear femtosecond(fs)and nanosecond(ns)dual-pulse(DP)laser-induced plasmas.A copper target was used as an experimental sample,and the fs laser was considered as the time zero reference point.The interpulse delay between fs and ns laser beams was 3μs.First,we compared the time-resolved peak intensities of Cu(I)lines from Cu plasmas induced by fs+ns and ns+fs DP lasers with collinear configuration.The results showed that compared with the ns+fs DP,the fs+ns DP laser-induced Cu plasmas had stronger peak intensities and longer lifetimes.Second,we calculated time-resolved plasma temperatures using the Boltzmann plot with three spectral lines at Cu(I)510.55,515.32 and 521.82 nm.In addition,time-resolved electron densities were calculated based on Stark broadening with Cu(I)line at 521.82 nm.It was found that compared with ns+fs DP,the plasma temperatures and electron densities of the Cu plasmas induced by fs+ns DP laser were higher.Finally,we observed images of ablation craters under the two experimental conditions and found that the fs+ns DP laser-produced stronger ablation,which corresponded to stronger plasma emission.

Characteristics of Laser Produced Plasmas Obtained by Fast ICCD Photography, Schlieren Photography and Optical Emission Spectroscopy

Pulsed laser produced plasmas(LPP)are important for industrial applications and fundamental researches,and their complex,multi-physical and cross-chemical processes need to be investigated more comprehensively.In this work,images of the luminous plasma,the spatial density distribution,and the plasma parameters are experimentally investigated by using fast ICCD photography,schlieren photography,and optical emission spectroscopy.Plasmas are produced by a 1 064 nm,15 ns Nd:YAG laser.Free expanding and splitting phenomena are observed in vacuum(at the pressure of about 1×10 3Pa)and air(at the pressure of 20 Pa)using fast photography,respectively.Meanwhile,shock waves formed in the atmospheric laser produced plasma are visualized by schlieren photography.The formation of shock waves is interpreted with the Sedov-Taylor theory,and an averaged expansion velocity about 375 m/s of the shock waves is estimated during 200～1 000 ns.Atmospheric air is found to have significant confinement effects on the plasma expansions compared to that in vacuum or low pressure ambient.Based on the optical emission spectroscopy,after 1 000 ns,at 0.6 mm above the target,the plasma temperature is about 7 800 K and the electron number density is approximately 0.64×1016cm-3.

Diagnostic Study of an Fe-Ni Alloy Plasma Generated by the Fundamental (1064 nm) and Second (532 nm) Harmonics of an Nd: YAG Laser

We studied the spatial evolution of the Fe-Ni plasma generated by the fundamental （1064 nm） and second （532 nm） harmonics of a Q-switched Nd： YAG laser. The experimentally observed line profiles of the neutral iron （Fe I） have been used to extract the plasma temperature （T e ） using the Boltzmann plot method, whereas the electron number density （N e ） has been deter- mined from the Stark broadening. In addition, we studied the spatial behavior of T e and N e with the variation of laser energy for iron plasma by placing the target material （iron-nickel alloy） in air at atmospheric pressure for both modes of the Nd： YAG laser.

Analysis of incoherent scatter during ionospheric heating near the fifth electron gyrofrequency

The observation of ultra-high frequency radar during an ionospheric heating experiment carried out at TromsФ site of European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association, Norway, is analyzed. When pump is operating slightly above the fifth electron gyrofrequency, some strong enhancements in radar echo and electron density occur in a wide altitude range and are in sync with the shifting and spread of plasma line around the reflection altitude, which may be due to the focusing or collimating of radar wave by irregularities. While some strong enhancements in electron density and radar echo around the reflection altitude do not correspond to the true increase in electron density, but due to the enhanced ion acoustic wave by parametric decay instability and oscillation two stream instability. In addition, the different heating rates and cooling rates at the pump frequencies below, around and above fifth gyrofrequency respectively result in the dependence of the enhancements in electron temperature on the pump frequency.

Analysis and Performance of the Thomson Scattering Diagnostics on HT-7 Tokamak Based on I-EMCCD

A visible light imaging Thomson scattering （VIS-TVTS） diagnostic system has been developed for the measurement of plasma electron temperature on the HT-7 tokamak. The system contains a Nd：YAG laser （A = 532 nm, repetition rate 10 Hz, total pulse duration ≈ 10 ns, pulse energy 〉 1.0 J）, a grating spectrometer, an image intensifier （I.I.） lens coupled with an electron multiplying CCD （EMCCD） and a data acquisition and analysis system. In this paper, the measurement capability of the system is analyzed. In addition to the performance of the system, the capability of measuring plasma electron temperature has been proved. The profile of electron temperature is presented with a spatial resolution of about 0.96 cm （seven points） near the center of the plasma.