Leiden University Student Repository

Steentjes, Berend (2021)

Characterization and Optimization of RF power absorption in composite plasma

Bachelor thesis | Natuurkunde (BSc)

This paper addresses the optimization of RF power absorption into a Laser- Induced plasma, naturally consisting of some highly conductive plasma torus and a surrounding cloud of less conductive plasma. By reproducing experimentally determined values in simulations, a characterization of the two plasma-components is made. Using CCD-images, the dimensions of the plasma-components are determined, and an Ansatz is made for the electron density distribution and decay of the conductive component. Using 2.45 GHz power reflection- and 57 GHz voltage transmission measurement data, the dielectric properties of both plasma-components are determined by parametric sweeps in COMSOLTM. Finally, the most accurate characterization of the LI-plasma is implemented in simulations on magnetic induction heating within a TE-102 rectangular and a TE-011 cylindrical cavity, and the resulting power absorption ratios are compared to that of capacitive heating in a TE-101 rectangular cavity.

laser-induced

plasma

rf

Author

Steentjes, Berend

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Specialisation

Microwave and Plasma physics

Supervisors

Felix Smits
Dirk Bouwmeester

ECTS Credits

24

Language

en