Characterization of the Effect of Magnetic Fields on Laser-sustained Plasma
Open Access
Author:
Wei, Sheng
Area of Honors:
Engineering Science
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Judith A Todd Copley, Thesis Supervisor Samia A Suliman, Thesis Honors Advisor Dr. Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
Laser-Sustained Plasma Magnetic Field Laser Material Processing
Abstract:
Laser-sustained plasma has a variety of applications in laser welding, drilling, cutting, and material processing. The interaction between a magnetic field and a laser-sustained plasma was investigated in this study using a transverse magnetic field produced by two neodymium permanent magnets applied across a laser-sustained argon plasma. A CCD camera captured the shape of the plasma when the plasma was travelling through the magnetic field. Magnetic field strength was measured with a tesla meter with a range up to 2 T. A magnetic field with strength of approximately 0.2 T was clearly shown to have a confinement effect on the laser-sustained plasma. Further studies are required to determine and characterize the role of magnetic field affected plasma on material processing, to further investigate the use of an electromagnet to control the plasma, and to characterize the effect of a coaxial magnetic field on the laser-sustained plasma.
