Evaluation of plume characteristics of arc-heaters with various oxygen injection systems

Arc-heater plumes generated by various oxygen injection systems were investigated by laser absorption spectroscopy. Firstly, oxygen was directly injected into a high-temperature cathode-jet region through a thoriated-tungsten hollow cathode. Although number density of atomic oxygen was increased, erosion of the cathode was too severe to maintain stable discharge. Then, zirconium was used as a cathode material to reduce cathode erosion by oxidation. As a result, stable discharge was maintained for 3 h with pre-mixed argon–oxygen injection and number density of atomic oxygen was successfully increased.