An apparatus generates energetic particles and generates a plasma of a vaporized solid material and gaseous precursors for the application of coatings to surfaces of a substrate by way of condensation of plasma and for electric propulsion applications.

A novel plasma generation and containment system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a power source, and an electromagnet. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically coupled via a wire to form an open circuit. The voltage is asserted on the open circuit to form a spark between the first electrode and the second electrode to form a closed circuit. Then, a current is asserted on the closed circuit to form a plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electromagnet provides a magnetic field to contain and compress the plasma.

A novel plasma generation and containment system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a power source, and an electromagnet. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically coupled via a wire to form an open circuit. The voltage is asserted on the open circuit to form a spark between the first electrode and the second electrode to form a closed circuit. Then, a current is asserted on the closed circuit to form a plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electromagnet provides a magnetic field to contain and compress the plasma.

In an embodiment of the invention there is a cyclotronic actuator utilizing a high-voltage plasma driver connected to a first electrode. A second electrode is grounded and the two are isolated from each other by a dielectric plate. A magnet is positioned beneath the dielectric plate such that a coaxial dielectric barrier discharge plasma is formed outwardly between the first electrode across the dielectric plate. The magnet positioned beneath the dielectric plate introduces a magnetic field transverse to the plasma current path, such that the plasma discharge discharges radially and the local magnetic field is oriented vertically in a direction perpendicular to the dielectric plate to create a Lorentz Force, which forces the plasma discharge to move radially outwardly in a curved radial streamer mode pattern.

In an embodiment of the invention there is a cyclotronic actuator utilizing a high-voltage plasma driver connected to a first electrode. A second electrode is grounded and the two are isolated from each other by a dielectric plate. A magnet is positioned beneath the dielectric plate such that a coaxial dielectric barrier discharge plasma is formed outwardly between the first electrode across the dielectric plate. The magnet positioned beneath the dielectric plate introduces a magnetic field transverse to the plasma current path, such that the plasma discharge discharges radially and the local magnetic field is oriented vertically in a direction perpendicular to the dielectric plate to create a Lorentz Force, which forces the plasma discharge to move radially outwardly in a curved radial streamer mode pattern.

A nitric oxide generator generates nitric oxide from a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen such as air treated by a pulsating electrical discharge. The desired concentration of nitric oxide is obtained by controlling at least one of a frequency of the pulsating electrical discharge and duration of each electrical discharge pulse.

An example method for producing thrust includes injecting a neutral gas into a cavity between an outer electrode and an inner electrode of a thruster, ionizing the neutral gas within the cavity into a plasma, causing the plasma to form into a plasma arc between the end of the inner electrode and the exhaust orifice of the outer electrode, generating a magnetic field that applies pressure on the plasma arc, maintaining stability of the plasma arc, and exhausting the plasma arc out of the exhaust orifice based on the applied pressure of the magnetic field, thereby producing thrust.

An example method for producing thrust includes injecting a neutral gas into a cavity between an outer electrode and an inner electrode of a thruster, ionizing the neutral gas within the cavity into a plasma, causing the plasma to form into a plasma arc between the end of the inner electrode and the exhaust orifice of the outer electrode, generating a magnetic field that applies pressure on the plasma arc, maintaining stability of the plasma arc, and exhausting the plasma arc out of the exhaust orifice based on the applied pressure of the magnetic field, thereby producing thrust.

In an embodiment of the invention there is a cyclotronic actuator utilizing a high-voltage plasma driver connected to a first electrode. A second electrode is grounded and the two are isolated from each other by a dielectric plate. A magnet is positioned beneath the dielectric plate such that a coaxial dielectric barrier discharge plasma is formed outwardly between the first electrode across the dielectric plate. The magnet positioned beneath the dielectric plate introduces a magnetic field transverse to the plasma current path, such that the plasma discharge discharges radially and the local magnetic field is oriented vertically in a direction perpendicular to the dielectric plate to create a Lorentz Force, which forces the plasma discharge to move radially outwardly in a curved radial streamer mode pattern.

A nitric oxide generator generates nitric oxide from a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen such as air treated by a pulsating electrical discharge. The desired concentration of nitric oxide is obtained by controlling at least one of a frequency of the pulsating electrical discharge and duration of each electrical discharge pulse.