Pioneering Advances in Materials

Pioneering Advances in Materials

Angular Ion Emission Characteristics of Argon, Helium, and Hydrogen Plasma Focus Discharges Using a Five-Channel Faraday Cup Array

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Plasma and Nuclear Fusion Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Angular ion emission characteristics are important for understanding ion transport and the spatial distribution of energetic ions generated in dense plasma focus (DPF) devices. In this study, a five-channel Faraday cup array was designed, fabricated, and implemented to investigate the angular ion emission characteristics of argon, helium, and hydrogen plasma focus discharges. The system enables simultaneous measurement of ion signals at five angles relative to the anode axis. Individual calibration of the Faraday cup channels compensated for differences in detector response, and the collected signals were quantified by integrating the ion current pulses. Measurements were performed at different operating pressures and charging voltages of 12 and 14 kV. For all investigated gases, the maximum integrated ion charge was measured along the anode axis, indicating predominantly axial ion emission. The collected ion charge decreased with increasing observation angle, demonstrating the angular dependence of ion emission. The effects of operating pressure and charging voltage varied with the working gas and discharge conditions. Comparison of argon, helium, and hydrogen plasmas revealed gas-dependent differences in collected ion charge, with argon exhibiting the highest values under the selected operating conditions. These differences reflect the combined effects of working gas properties, plasma dynamics, and ion transport. The developed five-channel Faraday cup array provides a practical diagnostic approach for simultaneous angular measurements and comparative investigations of ion emission in plasma focus devices.
Keywords