A plasma generating device for producing artificial auroras

Abstract

A plasma generating device for producing artificial auroras includes a plasma generating apparatus and an artificial auroras generating platform. The plasma generating apparatus includes a solenoid coil, an inner metal cylindrical electrode, an outer metal cylindrical electrode, a gas injection window, and a single-stage capacitor. After the fuel gas diffuses uniformly between the inner and outer metal cylindrical electrodes, it is ionized and accelerated by the single-stage capacitor, forming a dense, compact ring plasma. The artificial auroras generating platform includes a vacuum glass chamber, an inlet valve, a second solenoid coil, a vacuum pump assembly, and a high-speed camera. The compact ring plasma collides with the injected neutral gas inside the vacuum glass chamber, forming strip-shaped auroral bands visible to the naked eye under the influence of the second solenoid coil. In this invention, the compact ring plasma replaces high-energy charged particles, the neutral gas simulates the Earth's atmosphere, and the magnetic field generated by the second solenoid coil simulates the Earth's magnetic field environment and captures the compact ring plasma.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of geophysics, specifically to a plasma generator for producing artificial auroras. Background Technology

[0002] The aurora is a natural phenomenon on Earth. It is the result of the combined effects of high-energy charged particles from the sun, the Earth's atmosphere, and the Earth's magnetic field; all three are essential. In Antarctica, it is called the Southern Lights, and in the Arctic, it is called the Northern Lights.

[0003] The aurora is a large-scale electrical discharge process around the Earth. Charged particles from the sun reach the vicinity of Earth, and the Earth's magnetic field forces some of them to concentrate along the magnetic field lines to the North and South Poles. When they enter the upper atmosphere (above 80 km) at the poles, they collide with and excite atoms and molecules in the atmosphere, releasing energy and producing light that forms large circles around the magnetic poles—the aurora. Auroras often appear in the sky above regions near the Earth's magnetic poles at latitudes, and generally appear as bands, arcs, curtains, or rays.

[0004] Because the aurora is so beautiful, it is an essential exhibit in science and technology museums. Currently, the most common way to display it is through a computer screen. However, this method only allows visitors to experience a two-dimensional image and lacks a direct, intuitive experience. Therefore, it is necessary to design a device that can simulate the aurora to meet people's needs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings mentioned in the background art, the present invention aims to provide a plasma generating device for generating artificial auroras, thereby simulating the occurrence of auroras.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A plasma generating device for generating artificial auroras, the artificial auroras generating device comprising a plasma generating device and an artificial auroras generating platform;

[0008] The plasma generating device includes a solenoid coil, an inner metal cylindrical electrode, an outer metal cylindrical electrode, gas injection windows, and a single-stage capacitor. The single-stage capacitor is used to complete the plasma formation and acceleration process. From the inside out, the plasma generating device consists of the innermost solenoid coil, which is fixed to the inner metal cylindrical electrode welding plate by insulating material. In the middle is the inner metal cylindrical electrode, which is sleeved outside the solenoid coil. Outside the inner metal cylindrical electrode is the outer metal cylindrical electrode. The outer metal cylindrical electrode has multiple circumferentially distributed gas injection windows. The fuel gas injected through these windows diffuses between the inner and outer metal cylindrical electrodes. Through ionization and acceleration by the single-stage capacitor, the injected fuel gas forms a dense, compact ring plasma.

[0009] The artificial aurora generating platform includes a vacuum glass chamber, an air inlet valve, a polytetrafluoroethylene disk, a solenoid coil, a vacuum pump assembly, and a high-speed camera.

[0010] The vacuum glass chamber is connected to the outer metal cylindrical electrode. The vacuum glass chamber has multiple circumferentially distributed inlet valves for injecting neutral gas.

[0011] Furthermore, there are 6 air injection windows and 6 air intake valves.

[0012] Furthermore, the radius ratio of the inner metal cylinder electrode to the outer metal cylinder electrode is 1 / 5.

[0013] Furthermore, the length, number of turns, and winding dimensions of the solenoid coil are determined based on the requirements for the formation of the magnetic flux and the compact ring plasma. The relationship between the magnetic flux and the radius of the compact ring plasma is given by the formula Φ = BπR. 2 The relationship between the magnetic flux and the distance between the inner and outer electrodes of the metal cylinder is: Φ is the magnetic flux, B is the magnetic induction intensity, R is the radius of the solenoid coil, and I is the magnetic flux density. f λ is the forming current that forms a compact ring plasma, λ is the helicity eigenvalue, δ is the distance between the inner and outer electrodes of the metal cylinder, and μ0 is the vacuum permeability.

[0014] Furthermore, when the plasma generating device is activated, a vacuum of 10 is drawn. -5 Above Pa, the gas injected through the injection window is a high-pressure gas with a purity higher than 99.99% and a pressure range of 0.2-8 MPa.

[0015] Furthermore, the polytetrafluoroethylene disk is axially fixed inside the vacuum glass chamber, and the second solenoid coil is positioned in the middle of the polytetrafluoroethylene disk to generate a magnetic field to simulate the Earth's magnetic field environment and capture compact ring plasma.

[0016] Furthermore, the vacuum pump assembly is located at the rear of the vacuum glass chamber to create a vacuum environment for the entire plasma generator, maintaining the internal pressure of the entire plasma generator at 10. -5 Pa or above.

[0017] Furthermore, a high-speed camera is positioned outside the vacuum glass chamber to record the aurora phenomenon, which occurs for a very short time.

[0018] The working principle of the plasma generator for producing artificial aurora described in this invention is as follows:

[0019] (1) First, the solenoid coil is energized to generate a polar magnetic field, and gas is injected from the gas injection window between the inner electrode and the outer electrode of the metal cylinder.

[0020] (2) After the gas diffuses uniformly between the inner electrode and the outer electrode of the metal cylinder, it triggers a single-stage capacitor. The single-stage capacitor breaks down between the inner electrode and the outer electrode of the metal cylinder and ionizes the gas into plasma.

[0021] (3) After the compact ring plasma passing through the front end of the plasma generating device is reconnected with the circumferential magnetic field generated by the radial current and the poloidal magnetic field generated by the solenoid coil, it becomes a compact ring plasma. The compact ring plasma is accelerated to a high speed and then enters the vacuum glass chamber.

[0022] (4) Inside the vacuum glass chamber, the inlet valve is opened, and neutral gas enters the vacuum glass chamber. Using a solenoid coil 2 to simulate the Earth's magnetic field environment, the compact ring plasma collides with the neutral gas, eventually forming strip-shaped aurora bands that can be distinguished by the naked eye. Then, a high-speed camera is used to record the aurora phenomenon, which occurs for a very short time.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0024] (1) The present invention uses a single-stage capacitor to complete the formation and acceleration process of compact ring plasma, which is beneficial to save construction costs. In the plasma generation device, the radius ratio of the inner electrode of the metal cylinder to the outer electrode of the metal cylinder is designed to be 1 / 5, which significantly improves the speed and acceleration efficiency of compact ring plasma.

[0025] (2) The artificial aurora generating device shown in this invention can present the beautiful aurora to visitors in a more intuitive and three-dimensional way. It is easy to operate and has a simple structure. It is a new type of experimental device for simulating aurora generation and can be used to study the magnetic reconnection mechanism in a laboratory environment. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a plasma generator for producing artificial aurora according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is an isometric view of a plasma generator for producing artificial aurora according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a plasma generator for producing artificial aurora, according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a top view of a plasma generator for producing artificial aurora according to the present invention.

[0030] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0031] 1 is a PTFE cylinder; 2 is an inner metal cylinder electrode; 3 is an outer metal cylinder electrode; 4 is a welding plate for the inner metal cylinder electrode; 5 is a welding plate for the outer metal cylinder electrode; 6 is a gas injection window; 7 is a solenoid coil; 8 is grounding; 9 is a single-stage capacitor; 10 is a PTFE annular flange; 11 is a PTFE annular ring; 12 is a bolt; 13 is a vacuum glass chamber; 14 is an inlet valve; 15 is a PTFE disc; 16 is a solenoid. Circle 2, 17 is the vacuum pump group, 18 is the high-speed camera, 601 is the first gas injection window, 602 is the second gas injection window, 603 is the third gas injection window, 604 is the fourth gas injection window, 605 is the fifth gas injection window, 606 is the sixth gas injection window, 1401 is the first air intake valve, 1402 is the second air intake valve, 1403 is the third air intake valve, 1404 is the fourth air intake valve, 1405 is the fifth air intake valve, and 1406 is the sixth air intake valve. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described examples are only some embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] like Figure 1-4As shown, a plasma generating device for producing artificial auroras includes a plasma generating device and an artificial auroras generating platform. The plasma generating device includes a solenoid coil 7, an inner metal cylindrical electrode 2, an outer metal cylindrical electrode 3, gas injection windows 6, and a single-stage capacitor 9. The device uses the single-stage capacitor 9 to complete the plasma formation and acceleration process, which helps to save construction costs. From the inside out, the device consists of a solenoid coil 7 fixed to a welding plate 4 of the inner metal cylindrical electrode through insulating material, an inner metal cylindrical electrode 2 surrounding the solenoid coil 7, and an outermost outer metal cylindrical electrode 3. The radius ratio of the inner metal cylindrical electrode 2 to the outer metal cylindrical electrode 3 is 1 / 5, which significantly improves the speed and acceleration efficiency of the compact ring plasma. Six circumferentially distributed gas injection windows 6 are opened on the outer metal cylindrical electrode 3. The fuel gas injected through these gas injection windows 6 diffuses between the inner and outer metal cylindrical electrodes 2 and 3. Through ionization and acceleration by the single-stage capacitor 9, the injected fuel gas forms a dense compact ring plasma. The length, number of turns, and winding dimensions of solenoid coil 7 are determined based on the requirements for magnetic flux and compact toroidal plasma formation. The relationship between the magnetic flux and the radius of the compact toroidal plasma is given by the formula Φ = BπR. 2 The relationship between the distance between the inner metal cylindrical electrode 2 and the outer metal cylindrical electrode 3 in the magnetic flux and plasma generation device is as follows: Φ is the magnetic flux, B is the magnetic induction intensity, R is the coil radius, and I is the magnetic flux density. f λ is the forming current that forms a compact ring plasma, λ is the helicity eigenvalue, and δ is the distance between the inner electrode 2 and the outer electrode 3 of the metal cylinder.

[0034] The plasma generator has a good seal. When starting up, the plasma generator should be evacuated to 10°C. -5 Above Pa, the gas injected through injection window 6 is a high-pressure gas with a purity higher than 99.99% and a pressure range of 0.2-8 MPa.

[0035] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the plasma generating device includes a solenoid coil 7, an inner metal cylindrical electrode 2, an outer metal cylindrical electrode 3, a gas injection window 6, and a single-stage capacitor 9. From the inside out, the plasma generating device consists of the solenoid coil 7, the inner metal cylindrical electrode 2, and the outer metal cylindrical electrode 3. The leftmost end of the entire device is grounded at the ground 8, and the entire device is discharged by the single-stage capacitor 9. The solenoid coil 7 is insulated from the inner and outer metal cylindrical electrodes 2 and 3 by a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) cylinder 1, and is fixed to the inner metal cylindrical electrode welding plate 4 using insulating material. The inner metal cylindrical electrode welding plate 4 is fixed to a PTFE ring 11, and then the PTFE ring 11 is sealed and fixed to the insulating PTFE cylinder 1. The PTFE cylinder 1 is sealed and fixed to the PTFE ring plate flange 10 and fixed with screws to the outer metal cylindrical electrode welding plate 5. The outer metal cylindrical electrode welding plate 5 is welded to the outer metal cylindrical electrode 3. Six gas injection windows 6 are installed on the outer metal cylindrical electrode 3, and these gas injection windows 6 are evenly distributed circumferentially on the outer metal cylindrical electrode 3.

[0036] The artificial aurora generating platform includes a vacuum glass chamber 13, inlet valves 14, a vacuum pump assembly 17, a high-speed camera 19, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) disk 15, and a second solenoid coil 16. The vacuum glass chamber 13 is located behind the outer metal cylindrical electrode 3 and connected to it by bolts 12. Six inlet valves 14, evenly distributed circumferentially, are installed on the vacuum glass chamber 13 for injecting neutral gas. The PTFE disk 15 is axially fixed inside the vacuum glass chamber 13. A second solenoid coil 16 is positioned in the center of the PTFE disk 15 to generate a 0.1T magnetic field to simulate the Earth's magnetic field environment and capture compact ring plasma. The vacuum pump assembly 17 is located at the rear of the vacuum glass chamber 13 and welded to it, creating a vacuum environment for the entire artificial aurora generating device. A high-speed camera 18 is mounted outside the device to record the short-lived aurora phenomenon.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, the outer metal cylindrical electrode 3 has six injection windows 6 for injecting fuel gas, namely the first injection window 601, the second injection window 602, the third injection window 603, the fourth injection window 604, the fifth injection window 605, and the sixth injection window 606. The six injection windows on the outer metal cylindrical electrode 3 have a diameter of 2 cm and are evenly distributed circumferentially on the outer metal cylindrical electrode 3. The vacuum glass chamber 13 also has six inlet valves 14 for injecting neutral gas, namely the first inlet valve 1401, the second inlet valve 1402, the third inlet valve 1403, the fourth inlet valve 1404, the fifth inlet valve 1405, and the sixth inlet valve 1406. The six inlet valves 14 on the vacuum glass chamber 13 have a diameter of 2 cm and are evenly distributed circumferentially on the vacuum glass chamber 13. The gas injection window 6 on the outer metal cylindrical electrode 3 is on the same straight line as the air inlet valve 14 on the vacuum glass chamber 13.

[0038] An embodiment of the plasma generator for producing artificial aurora according to the present invention is as follows:

[0039] (1) Ensure the vacuum level inside the device is 10 during startup. -5 After Pa, a polar magnetic field is generated by the solenoid coil 7, and gas is injected from the gas injection window 6 between the inner electrode 2 and the outer electrode 3 of the metal cylinder.

[0040] (2) After the gas diffuses uniformly between the inner electrode 2 and the outer electrode 3 of the metal cylinder, it triggers the single-stage capacitor 9. The single-stage capacitor 9 breaks down between the inner electrode 2 and the outer electrode 3 of the metal cylinder and ionizes the gas into plasma.

[0041] (3) After the compact ring plasma passing through the front end of the plasma generating device is reconnected with the circumferential magnetic field generated by the radial current and the poloidal magnetic field generated by the solenoid coil 7, it becomes a compact ring plasma. The compact ring plasma is accelerated to a high speed and then reaches the vacuum glass chamber 13.

[0042] (4) Inside the vacuum glass chamber 13, the inlet valve 14 is opened, and neutral gas enters the vacuum glass chamber 13. The Earth's magnetic field is simulated by the solenoid coil 16, causing the compact ring plasma to collide with the neutral gas, eventually forming strip-shaped aurora bands that can be distinguished by the naked eye. Then, the aurora phenomenon, which occurs for a very short time, is recorded by the high-speed camera 18.

[0043] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. A plasma generator for producing artificial aurora, characterized in that, The artificial aurora generating device includes a plasma generating device and an artificial aurora generating platform; The plasma generating device includes a solenoid coil (7), an inner metal cylindrical electrode (2), an outer metal cylindrical electrode (3), a gas injection window (6), and a single-stage capacitor (9). The single-stage capacitor (9) is used to complete the plasma formation and acceleration process. The plasma generating device consists of the innermost solenoid coil (7) fixed to the inner metal cylindrical electrode welding plate (4) by insulating material, the middle one is the inner metal cylindrical electrode (2) surrounding the solenoid coil (7), and the outer metal cylindrical electrode (3) surrounding the inner metal cylindrical electrode (2). The outer metal cylindrical electrode (3) has multiple circumferentially distributed gas injection windows (6). The fuel gas injected through the windows diffuses between the inner metal cylindrical electrode (2) and the outer metal cylindrical electrode (3). Through the ionization and acceleration of the single-stage capacitor (9), the injected fuel gas forms a dense and compact ring plasma. The length, number of turns, and winding dimensions of the solenoid coil 1 (7) are determined according to the requirements of magnetic flux and compact ring plasma formation. The relationship between the magnetic flux and the radius of the compact ring plasma is as follows: The relationship between the magnetic flux and the distance between the inner electrode (2) and the outer electrode (3) of the metal cylinder is as follows: , B is the magnetic flux, R is the magnetic induction intensity, and R is the radius of the solenoid coil (7). It is the shaping current that forms a compact ring plasma, and λ is the helicity eigenvalue. μ0 is the distance between the inner electrode (2) and the outer electrode (3) of the metal cylinder, and μ0 is the vacuum permeability. The artificial aurora generating platform includes a vacuum glass chamber (13), an air inlet valve (14), a polytetrafluoroethylene disk (15), a solenoid coil (16), a vacuum pump group (17), and a high-speed camera (18). The vacuum glass chamber (13) is connected to the metal cylindrical outer electrode (3), and the vacuum glass chamber (13) has multiple circumferentially distributed air inlet valves (14) for injecting neutral gas.

2. The plasma generator for generating artificial aurora according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are 6 air injection windows (6) and 6 air intake valves (14).

3. A plasma generator for generating artificial aurora according to claim 1, characterized in that, The radius ratio of the inner metal cylinder electrode (2) to the outer metal cylinder electrode (3) is 1 / 5.

4. A plasma generator for generating artificial aurora according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the plasma generating device is activated, a vacuum is drawn to... Above Pa, the gas injected through the injection window (6) is a high-pressure gas with a purity higher than 99.99% and a pressure range of 0.2-8MPa.

5. A plasma generator for generating artificial aurora according to claim 1, characterized in that, The polytetrafluoroethylene disk (15) is axially fixed inside the vacuum glass chamber (13), and the second solenoid coil (16) is set in the middle of the polytetrafluoroethylene disk (15) to generate a magnetic field to simulate the Earth's magnetic field environment and capture compact ring plasma.

6. A plasma generator for generating artificial aurora according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vacuum pump assembly (17) is located at the tail of the vacuum glass chamber (13) and is used to create a vacuum environment for the entire plasma generator, so that the internal pressure of the entire plasma generator is maintained at a constant level. Pa or above.

7. A plasma generator for generating artificial aurora according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high-speed camera (18) is located outside the vacuum glass chamber (13) and is used to record aurora phenomena that occur for a very short time.

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