Preliminary Experimental Investigation on CCRF Barrier Discharge in Supersonic Flow

Abstract

Producing large-scale and uniform plasma in supersonic field is the foundation of researching cold Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD). The experimental system of capacitively coupled radio-frequency (CCRF) barrier discharge based on Ma3.5 double-throat tunnel is established, and the discharges in the condition of static and supersonic flow are investigating respectively. Main conclusions are as follows. Firstly, a stable and continuous supersonic field is generated by wind tunnel, which could guarantee the discharge experiments working reliably. Secondly, the space distribution of plasma changes and the discharge area reduces in the supersonic flow. Thirdly, the diffusion of plasma is restrained by the magnetic field, which leads to the increase of the degree of ionization.