Large-Volume $\hbox {N}_{2}$ Plasma Induced by Electron Beam at High Pressure

It is still a challenge to generate large-volume nonequilibrium plasma at high pressure. In this paper, a large-volume nonequilibrium plasma which has a diameter of 50 cm and a length of 35 cm at 20-kPa N₂ induced by electron beam (EB) is reported. The experimental results are consistent with the results simulated by software EGSnrc. The emission spectra reveal that the plasma contains abundant excited N₂* and N₂⁺ *. It is similar to the traditional plasma generation techniques such as pulse discharge. The rotational and vibrational temperatures of the plasma next to the EB entrance are about 550 K and 1700 K, respectively. The results of the time evolution experiment show that there are no obvious influences of space charge on the plasma.