On the carrier effect mechanism in relation to mass transport processes in the arc discharge

The time of residence of impurity atoms in the arc discharge is calculated. Diffusion, ion motion in the electric field, and ambipolar diffusion are taken into account. It is shown for the first time that ambipolar diffusion contributes significantly to the total particle flow from the arc discharge zone. The effect of charge exchange on the speed of ion motion in the arc is estimated. The influence of a carrier on the residence time of atoms in the arc discharge zone is calculated. Attention is paid to the peculiarities of the mechanism of the carrier effect associated with halide compounds. An attempt is made to explain the influence of halide compounds on the residence time of atoms in the arc using the considered model of mass transport. The velocities of mass transport and the time of atoms in the discharge zone are calculated for the are with and without halide containing substances. The initial parameters of calculation (discharge temperature, electron density, degree of ionization, and coefficient of atom diffusion) are partly measured and partly taken from the literature. The results of the calculation are compared with experimental data published in the literature. The adopted mass transport model adequately accounts for the influence of a carrier on the residence time of atoms in the arc discharge zone.