Constant current pulsed power supply for long pulse arc discharge positive hydrogen ion source

Abstract

The simplest way to produce high density hydrogen plasmas is to form an arc between the arcing electrode and the plasma chamber (cathode). For arc-based hydrogen plasma generation, a pulsed power supply that delivers 2 ms-long constant current pulse has been developed. This pulsed power supply employs a high frequency buck converter topology with a nonlinear filter inductor. This paper describes the development and testing of a constant current pulsed power supply that operates at 50 A and 550 V with a pulse width of 2 ms and a pulse repetition rate of 2 Hz. By changing the arc current, the arc impedance and the positive hydrogen ion current were also measured. The extraction of positive hydrogen ions was carried out using a three-electrode extraction design, which results in a current of 80 mA of positive hydrogen ions at an energy of 50 keV.