Extraction of electric power from plasma sources using difference in plasma-electrode interactions

摘要

It is investigated how much electric power can be extracted through electrodes inserted into plasmas. The difference in the size and secondary-electron emission coefficient of the material of electrodes, as well as the difference in the ambient plasma parameters, produces an imbalance in electron and ion currents at each electrode, and a net current, and hence a net electric power, can be driven in the external load connected between the electrodes. This forms a battery using the plasma medium. The extracted electric power is investigated as a function of the operating parameters. The results can be applied to various plasma sources: fusion plasmas, laboratory plasma sources in general, and space plasmas.