Study of the SiO2 plasma physical parameters: temperature, electron density, pressure, radiation

During the fault current breaking process in a fuse, the energy brought by the electric current implies the fusion and the vaporization of the fuse element and the filler (usually silica sand). Consequently a plasma is created. The plasma consists of metallic and silicon. We use the radiation escaped from the plasma to measure the plasma temperature and the electron density. The results are given for different mean granulometry and packing density, and compared with other experimental results obtained from the literature. Moreover, for modelling purpose, the measurements are compared with theoretical calculation (thermodynamic properties) to deduce the valid assumptions