Talk:Plasma window

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[edit] Questions

I don't think the explanation in terms of viscosity is correct. I would also like to know what prevents the plasma from streaming along the magnetic field and why the plasma does not ionize the air that hits it. What are typical ion and electron temperatures? How is the plasma maintained? ... Any experts out there? --Art Carlson 10:14, 22 November 2005 (UTC)

Also, what's wrong with a thick piece of glass or plastic? And when was this first developed, and by whom? —Simetrical (talk • contribs) 06:20, 12 January 2006 (UTC)

Thick pieces of glass or plastic tend to absorb things (electrons, radiation, stuff inside a nuclear accelerator) that the plasma window doesn't.

I found 1 source that mentions this technology... I'm no physicist so I can't speak on its validity either, but this technology has me intrigued and i'd really like to learn if it actually exists.

• http://www.nasatech.com/Briefs/May98/0598ETB1.html

--Diploid 01:09, 7 March 2006 (UTC)

I have greatly expanded upon this article and removed the expert tag since I hope i clarified a few things, also corrected some errors and generaly cleaned it up a bit. I recently spoke to Ady Hershcovitch via e-mail which is a reference i cant really list at the end of the article, so im posting the relavent parts of the e-mail here:

How hot does the plasma have to be before it can keep atmosphere and vacuum separate? or is this dependant on the gas used?

Normally, I've operated plasma windows at about 15,000 K in the center of the plasma window (it's cooler at the edge), but the hotter the better.

Is there any limit to the size of a plasma window?

In principle there is no limit, but for larger than a few of inches, the power requirements make it impractical for many applications. Power consumption is about 20 kW/inch (of diameter of round windows).

Is matter able to pass through the plasma window? and if so, would it be incinerated by the plasma's heat?

Solid matter will sustain damage! Unless it's moving very fast it will sustain extreme damage.

if plasma becomes more viscous as its heat increases, is it feasible that at extremely high temperatures, a plasma window could be used like a force field to deflect projectiles?

I do not think it would deflect projectiles. A more likely scenario is that projectile gets wedged in and burns.

--Mloren 14 March 06