Plasma Generator

Abstract

A plasma generator having a rod electrode, a ring electrode, and an electromagnet disposed to contain and rotate plasma located between the rod electrode and ring electrode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for generating a plasma comprising:
 providing a first electrode;   providing a second electrode;   supplying power to the second electrode with a first power supply;   generating a magnetic field with a second power supply; and   coordinating a discharge of power from the first power supply and a discharge of power from the second power supply,   wherein the discharge of power from the first power supply generates a plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode; and   wherein the magnetic field resulting from the discharge of power from the second power supply rotates the plasma.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of coordinating comprises causing a peak output of the first power supply to occur at substantially the same time as a peak output of the second power supply. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of coordinating comprises causing the peak output of the first power supply to occur within approximately one millisecond of the peak output of the second power supply. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising disposing an impedance circuit between the first power supply and the second electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the impedance circuit matches an impedance of the first power supply to an impedance of the second electrode and a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first power supply comprises a third power supply and a fourth power supply. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the third power supply supplies a voltage and the fourth power supply supplies a current. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a second electrode comprises disposing the second electrode within a boundary of the first electrode. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is configured as a loop. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 a rod electrode;   a ring electrode surrounding the rod electrode, the ring electrode having an axis aligned with and centered on said rod electrode; and   an annular electrical winding surrounding the ring electrode, the annular electrical winding having an axis aligned with and centered on said rod electrode.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  further including a current power supply connected to the rod electrode. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  further including an initiator power supply connected between the rod electrode and the ring electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  further including a deflection field power supply connected to said annular electrical winding. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the initiator power supply has sufficient voltage to generate a plasma in space between the rod electrode and the ring electrode. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the current power supply supplies current to sustain a plasma after it has been initiated. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the deflection field power supply is operated to contain the plasma and to rotate it. 
     
     
         17 . A method for operating a plasma generation, wherein the plasma generator comprises:
 a rod electrode;   a ring electrode surrounding the rod electrode, the ring electrode having an axis aligned with and centered on said rod electrode;   an annular electrical winding surrounding the ring electrode, the annular electrical winding having an axis aligned with and centered on said rod electrode;   a current power supply connected to the rod electrode;   an initiator power supply connected between the rod electrode and the ring electrode; and   a deflection field power supply connected to said annular electrical winding;   
       the method comprising:
 in order, 
 generating a pulse for the deflection field power supply; 
 generating a pulse for the initiator power supply; and 
 generating a pulse for the current power supply.