Untersuchungen zur Stromdichteverteilung eines Lichtbogens im Magnetfeld

Abstract

Abstract In a cylindrical arc without external magnetic field the radius of the discharge current is identi-cal with that of the conductive plasma column. It is shown here that, in general, this is not the case in an arc with superposed magnetic field. Instead, the current is limited by the magnetic flux tube whose cross section is governed by that of the electrodes. This is still true if the radius of the conductive plasma column is much larger than that of the flux tube. In this case electromotive forces prevent radial expansion of the current carrying region and form a potential distribution in keeping with the current density distribution.