Mechanisms of anode power deposition in a low pressure free burning arc

Anode power deposition is a dominant power loss mechanism for arcjets and magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters. In this study, a free burning arc experiment was operated at pressures and current densities similar to those in arcjets and MPD thrusters in an attempt to identify the physics controlling this loss mechanism. Use of a free burning arc allowed for the isolation of independent variables controlling anode power deposition and provided a convenient and flexible way to cover a broad range of currents, anode surface pressures, and applied magnetic field strengths and orientations using an argon gas. Test results showed that anode power deposition decreased with increasing anode surface pressure up to 6.7 Pa and then became insensitive to pressure. Anode power increased with increasing arc current, while the electron number density near the anode surface increased linearly. Anode power also increased with increasing applied magnetic field strength due to an increasing anode fall voltage. Applied magnetic field orientation had an effect only at high currents and low anode surface pressures, where anode power decreased when applied-field lines intercepted the anode surface. The results demonstrated that anode power deposition was dominated by the kinetic energy of the current-carrying electrons acquired over the anode fall region. Furthermore, the results showed that anode power deposition can be reduced by operating at increased anode pressures, reduced arc currents, anode current densities, and applied magnetic field strengths, and with magnetic field lines intercepting the anode.