Fluctuation-Coupling of Cathode Cavity Pressure and Arc Voltage in a dc Plasma Torch with a Long Inter-Electrode Channel at Reduced Pressure

Fluctuations of cathode cavity pressure and arc voltage are observed experimentally in adc plasma torch with a long inter-electrode channel. The results show that they have the same frequency of around 4kHz under typical experimental conditions. The observed phase difference between the pressure and the voltage, which is influenced by the path length between the pressure sensor and the cathode cavity, varies with different input powers. Combined with numerical simulation, the position of the pressure perturbation origin is estimated, and the results show that it is located at 0.01-0.05m upstream of the inter-electrode channel outlet.