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RF discharge question:

Hi, I need some help with what I believe it is a very basic question:

I have an RF generator connected to a plasma discharge between two coaxial electrodes. The outer electrode is grounded, the voltage is applied to the inner electrode. I also have a termination at the end of the electrodes, and a matchbox to couple the RF cable to the discharge system.

I know that the voltage on the inner electrode (which is about 1/10 of the wavelength) is variing slowly, and I can tweak the termination to get a maximum voltage at the center of the inner electrode, so the discharge is almost symmetrical.

I have some questions though about the outer ("grounded") electrode.

Since this is also about 1/10 of the wavelength, I wonder if there is any voltage drop across this electrode... i.e. is there a voltage between its ends, or between the center and the end?

If this were a DC system, I would be able to understand everything very easily, however I am not an RF expert. please help me, or point me to some web sites explaining this stuff...

Thanks

Reply to
chibitul
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You can get voltage drop across anything, the higher the frequency the worse it seems to get. I've had about 2 foot of wire and connected a 230V mains lamp at its ends and had the lamp light brigher than normal. You can also develop voltage nodes or standing waves (as I think they are called) across wires, where you in effect have a 0volts point in 2 or 3 places across a wire. I'm no RF epert either, but thats what I know happens.

Chris

Reply to
exxos

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