Influence of molecular and electronegative impurities on the contraction of the plasma column of an argon arc

Abstract

The constriction of an argon arc caused by electronegative and molecular impurities is considered at atmospheric pressure. It is shown that the presence of electronegative and molecular impurities leads to an additional diminution of sizes of field occupied by discharge. The action of molecular vapors and electronegative species causes also the split of arc column in the layers, which may be characterized by the different effective temperatures. Spatial characteristics of the arc are calculated and then ones are compared with experimental data.