INVESTIGATION OF PLASMA VISCOSITY AND MAGNETIC FORCES IN COAXIAL PLASMA DISCHARGE DEVICE

This paper investigates the axial plasma current sheath, PCS viscosity force, and its correlation with other magnetic forces acting on it at three different radial positions (2.625, 3.625, and 4.125 cm) within the annular space between the coaxial electrodes system of plasma discharge device (12 kV-56 kA) with positive central electrode. The rate of change of PCS momentum was also investigated at these axial and radial positions. The discharge processes are carried out with an argon gas pressure of 0.8 Torr. Experimental results of azimuthal magnetic induction as a function of axial and radial positions and Navier Stokes equation were employed to compute exactly, the rate of change of PCS momentum, axial magnetic force, magnetic pressure gradient force, and viscosity force.