Velocity of ions of a plasma jet from an arc source at various potentials on the plasma boundary

The effect of the potential of a conical electrode near the anode of an ion source on the speed of ions of the plasma jet ejected from the anode orifice is studied. An original method for measuring the velocity is used. Qualitative diffferences in the effect of the electrode on ions in the anode region and on the periphery of the plasma flow are discussed. Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 3–7, November–December, 1998.