American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
1
Effective Area of Microwave Discharge Interaction with
EM Beam Exciting It
D.V. Bychkov *, Lev P.Grachev,† I.I. Esakov‡ , Kirill V.Khodataev§
Moskow Radiotechnical Institute RAS, Moscow, 117519, Russia
In this work the research results of the electric discharge in supersonic air stream are
described. The discharge is lighted in the field of linearly polarized quasi-optical
electromagnetic beam of the microwave (MW) of wavelengths range, which initial level
is substantially smaller than critical breakdown level. Electric breakdown is initiated by
the tubular electromagnetic vibrator of resonant length placed in the MW beam. The
internal hole of the vibrator is an outlet section of submerged supersonic air stream
formation duct. The discharge burns in this flow and is attached to the stern end of the
initiator. Measurements of spatial distribution of stagnation temperature and pressure
of the stream in the wake of the discharge area have allowed to estimate energy
deposition into the discharge plasma and to determine the effective area of power
interaction of the discharge with the MW field exciting it. Results of experiments and
their analysis have shown that this area substantially exceeds the cross section area of
plasma discharge area.
I.Introduction
orm and properties of the gas electric discharge in the quasi-optical electromagnetic (EM) beam of
MW wavelengths range essentially depend on an initial level of EM field electric component E0 and pressure of a gas p Ref.Ref.[1]. Experiments have shown, that a plasma of such a discharge, at rather
high gas pressure p in EM beam with overcritical (E0> Ecr) and subcritical (E0 <Ecr) field is energetically
effectively interacts with this field. Here the critical level of the field Ecr is understood as its minimum amplitude, which still insures independent, electrodeless MW air breakdown. It is natural that at subcritical
discharge realization the electric breakdown of a gas should be initiated. One of such initiation ways consists in
location of the linear metal EM-vibrator into the MW beam. The MW discharge initiated by such a vibrator can be lighted also in the EM-beam with deeply subcritical
level of the initial field (E0 <<Ecr). Plasma areas of the MW discharge realized in this case are attached to the
ends of the initiating vibrator. There is a question on efficiency of EM-energy put in the plasma of such
discharge form. It is necessary to mark, that at high gas pressure p overcritical and subcritical MW discharge forms can be
carried out only in a pulse EM-field at the maximum duration of the MW pulse in tens of microseconds. For
their realization it is required to use rather unique powerful MW generators. Initiated deeply subcritical MW
discharge can be lighted also in a continuous mode using widespread rather low-power MW generators. In case
of high efficiency of EM-energy put into the plasma of such discharge form this circumstance essentially expands space for search of ways of its practical application.
One of possibilities of the specified efficiency experimental definition is lighting of deeply subcritical MW
discharge initiated by the vibrator in a stream of air and measurement of the stream parameters in the wake of
this system. In the present work experimental results of definite realization of such a possibility and results of
their analysis are described. In the experiments the design of the initiator accounting experience of works in the
given researches direction Ref.[2] was used.
II.Conditions of experiments carrying out
The basic scheme of carrying out of experiments is placed in a Fig. 1.
* Senior engineer, Department of plasma physics † Group manager, Department of plasma physics. ‡ Deputy director on Sci., PhD § Professor, Head of Plasma Physics department, member AIAA.
F
48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition4 - 7 January 2010, Orlando, Florida
AIAA 2010-1002
Copyright © 2010 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
2
Fig.1. The scheme of research experiments of deeply subcritical MW discharge properties in quasi-
optical EM-beam in supersonic air flow
In experiments the EM-wave with the wavelength of = 12.3 cm from an exit of the MW-generator with a power Pgen = 1.5 kW propagates over a waveguide with the sizes of the internal cross section 45x90 mm. The
waveguide ends up with an antenna conic horn 150 mm in length and the opening aperture area 90x90 mm. As a
result in the working chamber of the installation linearly polarized EM-wave of = 12.3 cm is radiated in a form of the quasi-optical MW beam.
The copper tube 1 with an external diameter dout = 4 mm and internal - din = 2 mm is located in the beam
symmetrically its axis. The tube axis, as is shown in a Fig. 1, is parallel to a vector of the EM-field electric component E0 and stands from the radiating horn opening aperture at the distance of 90 mm.
In Fig.2 one can see general appearance and a calculations result of the electric field amplitude distribution
calculation in a waveguide, horn and in a near zone in absence of the tube. In Fig.3 is shown a distribution of
MW energy density flux along an axis of the system. Vertical markers correspond to a position of the horn
opening and a place where the tube will be located.
Fig.2. Electric field amplitude distribution in the plane y=0 inside the radiator and in the near zone.
A ratio of calculated values of the energy density flux in the near zone and in the waveguide allows to
connect energy density flux in the near zone w with the power Pg of the generator:
0.21gP
wab
(1)
here a, b – are sizes of internal waveguide cross section. The equation (1) at known power of the generator
(Pg=1500W) and sizes of the waveguide cross section (2a=b=90 mm) gives the value of the energy density flux
in the place of the vibrator location w=7.8W/cm2. This corresponds to the field amplitude E0= 76.5 V/cm.
One end of the tube is flat, and another has three triangular sharpened ledges. Ledges are 4 mm by depth and
distributed in regular intervals on a tube's butt end. One of them is located towards the Umov-Pointing П vector
of the EM-beam. On the end of a tube with ledges the quartz tube-nozzle 2 is densely put on. Its external
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
3
diameter is 5.5 mm, total length is 22 mm and length of the section spreading out the pointed ends of the
vibrator is Lout = 9 mm.
Fig.3. A distribution of MW energy density flux along the axis of the radiator.
The tube is located over the metal screen 3 which is perpendicular to the vector of energy density flux П.
The distance between a tube axis and a screen surface is h = 30 mm ≈ (λ/4), i.e. it is placed in a loop of the EM-
field of initial size ~ 2E0.
In electrodynamic sense the tube 1 is the EM-vibrator. The induced field on its ends can substantially exceed
a field exciting it and to exceed the field necessary for air breakdown. At a tube length 2L ≲ /2 the induced
charges are equal to zero in its central area. This allows to fix the tube on a metal rack 4 strengthened on the
screen 3 not influencing the EM properties of the tube. The rack has size along the tube, equal to 10 mm, and across - 2 mm.
On plainly cut off end of the tube-vibrator for the length 6 mm the polyethylene tube 5 with internal
diameter 4 mm and thickness of a wall 1 mm is densely dressed. It comes from the installation working chamber
where in its rupture an electrically operated valve 6 is included with the conditional diameter equal to 10 mm.
The polyethylene tube is connected with a balloon 7 with a volume Vb = 5.2∙103 cm3. Pressure of air in the
balloon can be set in a range pb = (760 ÷ 3) Torr and to be controlled with an accuracy ±1.5 Torr.
In the Fig. 1 on the right side of the screen the source of ultra-violet (UV) radiation 8 is shown. Its purpose
and the scheme will be explained below.
The vibrator is placed in the working chamber of the installation of 0.5 m3 volume. Air pressure in the
chamber pc can be set in a range from 760 to 3 Torr and controlled with the same accuracy, as pressure pb. At
pc < pb at opening of the valve 6 air from the balloon starts to leak in the working chamber, and on an exit of a
quartz nozzle 2 the flow of air is formed. Its stagnation pressure pstag and stagnation temperature Tstag can be measured by means of a Pitot tube and the thermocouple. If necessary, one of these measuring instruments is
fixed to electrically operated motion device. It allows without chamber depressurization to pace a working
element of the measuring instrument in set "point" of the stream with co-ordinates x, y, z shown in the Fig.1.
Thus the axis х is counted from the stern plane of the quartz nozzle 2.
Metal Pitot tube used in the experiments has internal diameter 2 mm, and external - 2.9 mm. The inlet
section of this tube is directed towards the stream. Other end of Pitot tube is connected with “bridge”
electromechanical measuring scheme. The signal from it is proportional to a pressure difference on the entrance
end of Pitot tube and atmospheric pressure; it goes to an oscilloscope inlet. It allows to detect both invariable
pressure in time, and its differences with millisecond fronts.
For measurement Tstag the sensor on a basis of chromel -alumel thermocouple is used. For prevention of MW
noise, the wires departing from "hot" junction of thermocouple are placed into a metal tube-screen with external diameter 4 mm. Junction comes out the screen butt for 1 mm. At measurements the tube butt face is placed
towards the air flow. “Cold junction” of the thermocouple is the entrance scheme of the oscilloscope. Average
sensitivity of the used sensor in a stable time mode of measurement is SТ = 24.5 °К/mV at the temperature of the
hot junction up to 1100 °C. Feature of measurements by the given temperature Tstag sensor with its "sharp"
differences will be described below.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
4
III.Resonant properties of the tubular EM-vibrator
The resonant length 2Lrez of the EM-vibrator essentially depends on its diameter dout Ref.Ref.[4]. In the
present work has been experimentally determined the length 2Lrez of the tubular vibrator used in the basic
researches with the quartz nozzle dressed on its end. Used experimental installation for the solution of this problem allows to controllably change pressure in the
working chamber pc and, placing in the EM-beam the EM-vibrators of various make to define maximal pc at
which the given vibrator still initiates air MW breakdown pbr. In the Fig. 4 corresponding experimental values
of pbr corresponding to different lengths 2L of the investigated tubular vibrator are placed.
The basic experiences were supposed to be carried out at duration of MW radiation τMW ≈ 0.2s. However,
initial experiments on determination of resonant properties of the EM-vibrator have shown, that at such τMW in
consecutive MW pulses under invariable conditions air breakdown could occur or not. This instability,
especially at pc insignificantly smaller than pbr, is explained by a small volume of the area adjoining to edge
sharpened parts of the vibrator, with induced field Е > Ecr and absence in it during τMW of free electrons
necessary to start development of breakdown avalanches.
For liquidation of this instability in the scheme, as is shown in the Fig.1, the source of UV-radiation 8 has been included. This radiation is generated by a spark burning between an internal vein of a high-voltage (HV)
cable and a surface of the screen 3. The corresponding HV-pulse is given to the cable simultaneously with
switching on of a HV feeding of the MW-generator. Experiments have shown, that the irradiation of the end of a
tube 1 with ledges by the UV-radiation stabilizes MW breakdown process. Thus it develops at this end of the
vibrator in the quartz nozzle.
150
200
250
300
40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54
2L, мм
pb
r, Т
ор
р
Fig. 4. Resonant properties of the tubular linear EM-vibrator with the quartz nozzle
From data in the Fig. 4 follows that the resonance occurs at the tube length 2Lrez ≈ 48 mm. It is for 13.5 mm
smaller than /2 = 61.5 mm. The vibrator in such execution in the given field can ensure air breakdown up to pbr ≈ 280 Torr. Its electric quality factor is Q ≈ 5.5.
In the basic experiments the vibrator with 2L = 47 mm was used.
IV.Parameters of the initial submerged air stream
In the experiments it is supposed to investigate the MW discharge in the supersonic (SS) air stream. Let us
designate the sizes characterizing air in a balloon 7, where air speed is v0 = 0, by an index “0”. In the
experiments in the balloon in an initial condition it is set pb = p0 ≈ 750 Torr at room temperature T0 ≈ 300 °K.
According to the theory Ref.[4] follows, that at pc ≲ 0.5 p0 on flow out duct section having the minimal area
of the cross section, the stream will be characterized by the Mach number M = 1. M <1 down the flow from this
critical cross section of M <1, and M > 1 above it. In the described duct the cross section with the minimal area
is in internal channel of EM-vibrator 1. Hence, at pc ≲ 0.5 p0 on a section from the balloon to this channel the
flow will be subsonic (SubS), and in the outlet channel of the flow duct it will be SS, i.e. in the internal channel
of the quartz tube 2.
The knowledge of the ratio of the area of cross section of any section of the duct and the area of the critical
cross section allows to calculate stream parameters in the considered section Ref.[4]. So, at the specified ratio of pressure pc and p0 in the outlet channel of the quartz nozzle 2 at the ratio (dout / din) 2 = 4, the Mach number is
Mout = 2.94, the static air pressure is pout = 24 Torr, static temperature is Tout = 110 °K, concentration of
molecules nout = 2.3∙1018 cm-3 at air density out 110-4 g/cm3, and speed of the stream vout = 600 m/s. To these parameters corresponds the mass flow rate of air m = 0.7 g/s.
The pressure drop Δpb measurement in the balloon 7 for fixed time τv of the valve 6 opening allows to
estimate experimentally a value of m and to compare it with the obtained estimation. In experiment during τv ≈
0.7 s the value of Δpb in various switching on of the scheme stably lays in the range 51÷54 Torr. At known
volume Vb these values to within 10 % give the value of m, coinciding with represented above its theoretical
estimation. The basic experiments were carried out with this time τv. The specified value of Δpb equals
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
5
approximately to 7 % from the initial p0. Hence, it is possible to consider that the parameters of the stream
represented above during time τv change no more, than on this value.
As it is known Ref.[4,5] the stagnation pressure pstag and temperature Tstag in a flow are connected
with the static pressure pstat and static temperature Tstat by Eq.(2) andEq.(4) respectively:
stag statp p F M , (2)
where
211111
1
12
12
1 2, if 1
2 12
11
11 , if 1
2
MM
MF M
M M
(3)
211
2
stag
stat
TT
M
(4)
here М –is local value of the Mach number.
Corresponding dependences are shown in a Fig. 3.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
0 1 2 3 4
M
ps
tag /
p
1
1,5
2
2,5
3
3,5
0,5 1,5 2,5 3,5
M
Ts
tag / T
Fig. 5. Dependences of ratios of pstag and static air pressure and Tstag and static air temperature in
a stream via its Mach number
For the submerged stream formed in experiment quite fair is an assumption of its equilibrium at which is
valid the condition of equality of static pressure in the stream and the external pressure - pressure in the chamber
stat cp p (5)
The measured values of stagnation pressure pstagexp and temperatures Tstag with a help of Eq.(2), Eq.(4) and
assumption Eq.(5) completely define the stream parametres. The equation (6)
exp
0c stagp F M p (6)
(Solved numerically) defines a value of the Mach number M. Its substitution in Eq.(4) together with the
measured value of the stagnation temperature Tstag gives the value of the static temperature. Then the local
values of the stream parametres are defined trivially:
the speed of the stream
0
stats
TV MC
T (7)
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
6
where Т0 is room air temperature, Cs - sound velocity at room temperature, and the concentration
c
B stat
pn
k T (8)
where kB –is Boltzmann constant.
For analyzed in this section adiabatic flow temperature Tstag T0 and the basic information about the stream is in the waveforms for pstag.
In a Fig. 6 one can see waveforms from the measuring instrument of pstag at pc = 21 Torr and at pc = 27 Torr
in a "near" zone of the stream at x = 5 mm over its axis - y=z=0.
(a) (b)
Fig. 6. The pressure measured by Pitot tube pstag of the submerged air stream at х = 5 mm and
y=z=0. (a) - pc = 21 Torr, (b) - pc = 27 Torr
In these waveforms, as well as in all placed further in the text the time scale is kt = 0.1 s/div. In them the
initial horizontal section corresponds to pressure pc, and the signal amplitude Up counted from it characterizes a dynamic component of pressure pstag:
stag p cp Torr k Up p Torr (9)
here Up Ref.[mV]- is the oscilloscope readings, kp Ref.[Torr/mV] – is the calibrating coefficient.
In the waveforms a signal growth begins with the moment of the valve 6 opening. The signal grows to Up during time ~ 0.06 s and remains approximately constant during 0.6 s. Their sum gives actual time of the flow
out τv = 0.66 s. Final falling of a signal level in the waveforms traces leaking of "residual" air with p > pc from
the duct of the stream formation.
Both values of the amplitude Up in Fig.6(а) and Fig.6(b) by Ошибка! Источник ссылки не найден.
give the value pstag = 280 Torr, that coincides with the value following from the ratio pstag / pout = 11.7, obtained
by the corresponding graph in the Fig. 5 at Mout = 2.94.
In a Fig. 7a there is the dependence of pstag (pc) on the stream axis in its near zone constructed using the
corresponding waveforms.
(a) (b)
Fig.7. A dependence of pstag on pc of the air stream at х=5 mm and y=z=0
The pressure pstag in the given cross section rises with pc growth and the Mach number drops with respect
with Eq.(6) (see. Fig.7b)
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
7
This result is understandable. External pressure at pc > pout in greater degree “compresses” the stream. Its
diameter decreases reaches the diameter of the critical cross section and the Mach number drops but the pressure
pstag grows.
In Fig.8 one can see an experimental dependence pstag(x) along the stream axis at pc = 27 Torr, and at Fig.9 at
the same pc one can see the dependence of pstag(y) over the diameter of the transversal cross section of the stream
at x = 20 mm. The dashed horizontal line in the Fig.9 marks the level of pc .
100
150
200
250
300
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
x; mm
psta
g;
To
rr
Fig.8. A dependence of pstag(x) of the air stream at y=z=0
0
50
100
150
200
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
Y; mm
ps
tag;
To
rr
Fig.9. Values pstag (y) of the air stream at z = 0 and x=20 mm
Mach number distributions corresponding to Fig.8 and Fig.9 represented in Fig.10 allow to judge the sizes
ans characteristics of the stream.
Fig.10. Mach number distribution in the stream:(а)- over у at the distance of x=2 cm from the nozzle
opening, (b) - over х at the stram axis.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
8
V.Deeply subcritical MW discharge in SS air stream
In the analyzed situation on the SS-section of the flow out to a concentration nout there corresponds an
equivalent pressure peq ≡ nout kBT0= 65 Torr at a room temperature. For it Ecr = 2.7 kV/cm Ref.[6], and air
breakdown should be realized at subcritical fields (Ecr/2E0) = 22.5. According to Ref.[1] in motionless air to experimental values of peq and 2E0 there corresponds an area of deeply subcritical streamer MW discharges.
In a Fig. 11 photos of the MW discharge lighted under the considered scheme at several values pc are placed.
Their exposition time τexp> τMW.
Fig. 11. Appearance of deeply subcritical MW discharge initiated by the EM-vibrator in SS air
flow
In the Fig. 11 the form of the stern end of the EM-vibrator with the quartz tube is given, and on the right side
over its axis there is the measuring instrument of Tstag. Its end butt has co-ordinate x=20 mm, that can serve as
scale of images. In the photos one can see, that the discharge partially burns in the quartz tube. It results in
increase of p in it Ref.[7], and can cause flow reorganization in a transversal direction. The last is demonstrated
in a Fig. 11. In experiences at pc ≳ 50 Torr the discharge area loses its axial symmetry.
In a Fig. 12 characteristic waveforms for pstag at the discharge burning in the flow are placed.
х=5 mm x=10 mm
Fig. 12. Waveforms from the measuring instrument of pstag at MW discharge burning in the air
stream at pc = 21 Torr, y=z=0 and х=5mm and x=10mm
In experiments MW generation begins after 0.1 s after signal giving on opening of the valve 6 and lasts
approximately 0.2 s. In the waveforms one can see that, as well as follows, through 0.1 s after the beginning of initial stream formation the current picture changes. Through (0.04÷0.08) s it becomes again stationary up to the
termination of τMW, but already at new level. Counted from the initial horizontal section of a signal its stationary
value Up dis at burning of the discharge also defines a value of pstag at this time under the Eq.(1).
In a Fig. 13 dependences of pstag (x) over the axis of the stream during the discharge burning are placed at
pc = 21 Torr and pc = 36 Torr.
They illustrate the experimental fact of that at small pc values of pstag along a stream axis fluctuate. In
process of pc growth the amplitude of fluctuations decreases, and they stop to be detected at pc ≳ 36 Torr.
Considering this fact and that at pc ≳ 50 Torr the discharge starts to influence also on axial symmetry of the stream, the basic experiments with the discharge were carried out at pc = 36 Torr.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
9
50
100
150
200
250
300
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
x, mmp
sta
g,
To
rr
Fig 13. Dependence of pstag (x) at burning of the MW discharge in SS stream at y=z=0 (a
continuous line - pc = 21 Torr, dashed - 36 Torr)
In a Fig. 14 at pc = 36 Torr and x = 20 mm two typical waveforms from the measuring instrument of Tstag are
represented at burning of the discharge in SS stream with the discharge. The left waveform (a) corresponds to
position of the thermocouple sensor on the stream axis at y=z=0. The right one (b) - at the sensor displacement
from the stream axis at y = - 3 mm and z=0.
(a) (b)
Fig. 14. Typical waveforms from the measuring instrument of Tstag for the stream excited by the
MW discharge
The signal starts to grow from the moment of lighting of the discharge and to fall - from the moment of it
extinction, that gives time of the discharge burning τdis = 0.16 s. It of a little bit smaller the time interval τMW
between giving of signals on switching on and off of MW generator.
From a Fig.14 follows, that the measuring instrument of Tstag is slow-response. If to assume, that at "step"
growth of Tstag the signal from the sensor at the MW switching on changes in time t under law U = U0 ∙ Ref.[1 -
exp (-t / τT)] then from the waveforms follows, that a time constant is τT = 0.21 s. During time t = τdis the signal
grows to Um. This value allows to calculate U0: U0 = 1.8 ∙ Um. Real value of the stagnation temperature is defined with accounting of this factor
0 01.8stag T m disT K k U T K T T (10)
where kT- is the calibrating coefficient of the thermocouple. The temperature ΔTdis also characterizes the energy
gotten by a gas in MW discharge Ref.[7].
In the Fig. 14 in the left waveform the amplitude is Um = 6.8 mV and by (4) ΔTdis = 300 °К. In the right one
– the value Um = 13 mV and ΔTdis = 570 °К.
In Table 1 and Table 2 with a step of 1 mm are placed obtained experimentally values of signals Up dis from
the Pitot tube during burning of the discharge and the amplitude of signals from the thermocouple sensor Um at
pc = 36 Torr in the plane x=20 mm.
VI. Power of MW discharge interaction with EM field exciting the discharge in SS
air stream
For determination of the power released in the discharge created in a supersonic stream of gas, the method
used earlier in Ref.[8] has been applied.
In cross-section section of a stream, in a plane x=20 mm, with step of 1 mm have been measured during the
discharge burning values of stagnation temperature and pressure at pc = 36 Torr. Results of measurements are
presented in the form of matrixes H (Table 1) and G (Table 2).
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
10
Data of Tables 1 and 2 allow to calculate MW discharge power interaction with EM field exciting it.
Following Eq.(6), Eq.(7) and Eq.(8) we get matrixes of Mach number values, velocity and concentrations in the
flow
, , 0c m n m np F M G (11)
,
, ,
0
m n
m n m n s
HV M C
T (12)
,
,
cm n
B m n
pn
k H (13)
Local value of the energy density flux put into the stream is defined by the equation
, , , , 01
m n m n m n B m nw n V k H T
(14)
Distributions of the Mach number and energy density flux in the plane х=20 mm are represented in
Fig.15. The full power released in the discharge is determined by integration over the cross section in its
wake
2
,m n
m nS
W wds w (15)
Summation Eq.(15) gave the result W=256 Ref.[W]
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
11
Fig.15. Distributions of the Mach number M and energy density flux w in the plane х=20 mm.
An interaction efficiency of the vibrator loaded by the discharge (with a reflector) and EM is characterized
by the absorbtion energy
0
ef
WS
w (16)
As it was indicated above w0 = 7.8W/cm2 in conditions of the experiment, this gives a value of an effective cross section Sef = 53.6 cm2. It is convenient to express the effective cross section through λ2, or
2
0.21efS
(17)
Obtained value η=0.21 is greater than the theoretical value for optimally loaded resonant vibrator (η =0.15).
This excess caused by influence of a reflector, can be large at compensation of the system resonance detuning
by the discharge plasma.
YII. Conclusions
Thus, we have realized initiated by the linear EM-vibrator deeply subcritical MW discharge in initial SS air flow in the field of linearly polarized quasi-optical EM beam. Measurements of the stagnation pressure and
temperature distributions in the wake of the discharge trace area have allowed to calculate the effective area of
interaction of the discharge plasma with the EM-field exciting the discharge. This area essentially exceeds the
area of the discharge area cross section.
In the conditions of experiments the EM beam energy put into the discharge is about of 17 %.
The estimation of energy released in the discharge can be a little underestimated. The question requires
additional research: whether all the energy gotten by molecules of air in the discharge has relaxed in heat in the
course of measurements.
The executed researches allow to consider variants of the given scheme application in practical devices as
microwave plasma generator.
Acknowledgement
The work is performed with the financial support of EOARD Project ISTC # 3572p.
References
1. Esakov I.I., Grachev L.P., Khodataev K.V., and Van Wie David. MW Discharge in quasi optical beam.
45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, Nevada, 9-12 Jan. 2007, AIAA 2007-0433
2. Esakov I.I., Grachev L.P., Khodataev K.V., Vinogradov V.A. and Van Wie David D. Effiency of
Propane-Air Mixture Combustion Assisted by Deeply Undercritical MW Discharge in Cold High-Speed Airflow //44th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, Nevada, 9-12 Jan. 2006, AIAA 2006-
1212
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
12
3. Drabkin A.L., Zuzenko V.L., Kislov A.G. Antenna-feeder devices. Sovetskoe radio. Moscow. 1974.
536 p.
4. Loitsyansky L.G. Mechanics of liquids and gases. Nauka Publishers. Moscow. 1970. 904 p. I. Esakov, L.
Grachev, K. Khodataev, and D. Van Wie. Efficiency of Microwave Discharges for Propane Ignition in Cold High-Speed Airflows. 43nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting 10-13 January 2005, Reno, NV. Paper AIAA-2005- 0989
5. Gorlin S.M. Experimental aeromechanics. Vysshaya shkola. Moscow. 1970. 423 p.
6. MacDonald A.D. Microwave Breakdown in Gases. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. NY-London-Sydney. 1966..
7. Bartlma F. Gasdynamics of Combustion. Energoizdat. Moscow. 1981. 274 p.
8. I. Esakov, L. Grachev, K. Khodataev, and D. Van Wie. Efficiency of Microwave Discharges for Propane
Ignition in Cold High-Speed Airflows. 43nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting 10-13 January 2005, Reno, NV.
Paper AIAA-2005- 0989