AN INVESTIGATION OF A RADIO FREQUENCY GENERATED CYLINDRICAL PLASMA WITH ALKALI METAL INJECTION.

The thermochemical and electrical properties of a moderate temperature cylindrical plasma column were studied. The column consisted of a mixture of a low ionization potential alkali metal and a carrier gas heated by a radio frequency field to elevated temperatures and thus partially ionized. It was the purpose of this study to produce a suitable experimental model, analyze such a plasma theoretically, and measure the properties of the laboratory plasma for comparison with theory. The effect of low ionization potential seeding on plasma properties was of primary concern as was the applicability of various diagnostic techniques to this type plasma.