Development of a cascade arc discharge source for an atmosphere-vacuum interface device

To realize a novel vacuum-atmosphere interface that does not require a large differential pumping system, a robust cascade arc discharge source called a plasma window is constructed and tested for long-term operation. By modifying a test plasma with a direct current discharge, a vacuum interface wit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inReview of scientific instruments Vol. 87; no. 8; p. 083503
Main Authors Namba, S, Endo, T, Fujino, S, Suzuki, C, Tamura, N
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.08.2016
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Summary:To realize a novel vacuum-atmosphere interface that does not require a large differential pumping system, a robust cascade arc discharge source called a plasma window is constructed and tested for long-term operation. By modifying a test plasma with a direct current discharge, a vacuum interface with a high gas pressure ratio of 1/407 between the discharge and expansion sections is demonstrated for currents as high as 20 A. No significant damage to the electrodes is observed during the operation. Analysis of the visible emission spectra reveals that a stationary, stable argon plasma having a temperature of 1 eV and a density of 1.5 × 10(16) cm(-3) is generated in the plasma channel.
ISSN:1089-7623
DOI:10.1063/1.4960425