Examination of the shock wave regular reflexion phenomenon in a rarefied supersonic plasma flow

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1835345· OSTI ID:20657966

Mazouffre, S; Caubet-Hilloutou, V; Lengrand, J C; Pawelec, E ^[1]

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1. Laboratoire d'Aerothermique, 1C avenue de la Recherche Scientifique, 45071 Orleans (France)

The flow properties of a low-pressure weakly ionized supersonic argon plasma jet are examined using Fabry-Perot interferometry and laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy. The flow velocity and equilibrium temperature measured at the torch nozzle exit are in close agreement with computational fluid dynamics calculations. The model also predicts the plasma flow to be in a rarefied regime. Departure from thermal equilibrium is indeed observed behind the nozzle where the parallel temperature differs significantly from the perpendicular temperature. The development of the axial velocity component along the jet center stream line reveals the occurrence of the shock wave regular reflexion phenomenon: No Mach disk is formed and the flow experiences successive supersonic-to-supersonic transitions before reaching a subsonic regime. Shock wave regular reflexion is in fact favored under our experimental conditions since the speed ratio is high and the rarefaction degree is pronounced at the nozzle exit.

• OSTI ID: 20657966
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 12; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ARGON
FABRY-PEROT INTERFEROMETER
FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY
NOZZLES
PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA JETS
SHOCK WAVES
SUPERSONIC FLOW