The difference between the electron temperature and the gas temperature in a stationary arc plasma at atmospheric pressure

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Abstract
Deals with an experimental and theoretical study of the difference between the electron temperature Te and the gas temperature Tg in a stationary cylindrical argon plasma. The experimental method is based on the measurement of a line coefficient, during the first microseconds of plasma decay, which presents a jump due to the equalisation of temperatures. A theoretical model with rate equations and the electron energy balance has been developed. The comparison between experimental and theoretical values of the difference (Te-Tg) has been carried out for several current intensities and radial positions. The agreement is good for an arc with a 6 mm diameter. For a 4 mm diameter the computed values are less precise than the experimental ones because of the inaccuracy of diffusion terms which play an important part in the computation of (Te-Tg).