Measurements of mass separation in a vacuum arc centrifuge

Abstract

A vacuum arc centrifuge is described which produces a rapidly rotating metal plasma column by means of the Lorentz force between the arc current and an applied axial magnetic field. Analysis of samples deposited on collector surfaces indicates mass separation of elements that increases with the radius. For the plasma formed from a brass cathode, the mass separation of zinc with respect to copper depends on the configuration of the power supply and applied magnetic field and can exceed 50% at the outer radius of the plasma.