Analysis of the behavior of a discharge in a coaxial plasma jet accelerator

We analyze the behavior of the discharge in a coaxial plasma jet accelerator with a pulsed supply of the working gas released by an electric discharge from titanium hydride powder. Radiation (varying with time) from the discharge in the accelerator was detected using an optical method through a narrow slit cut along the outer electrode by a Bifo Company K008 streak camera. Stable operation of the source with the highest kinetic energy of a pure hydrogen plasma jet was attained for a relatively uniform glow of the discharge along the accelerator during the entire current pulse. Conversely, local glow of the discharge at the outlet or inlet of the accelerator considerably contaminated the discharge with impurities, and the kinetic energy of the plasma jet decreased by an order of magnitude. The highest energy of the plasma jet was attained when the polarity of the electrodes was the same as at the plasma focus.