Three dimensional simulations of pattern formation during high-pressure, freely localized microwave breakdown in air

Journal Article · Mon Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 2014 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4905071· OSTI ID:22407958

Boeuf, J. P. ^[1]; Rogier, F. ^[2]

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1. LAPLACE (Laboratoire Plasma et Conversion d'Energie), Université de Toulouse, UPS, INPT, 118 route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse Cedex 9 (France)
2. ONERA - The French Aerospace Lab, 2 Avenue édouard Belin, 31000 Toulouse (France)

Recent experiments have demonstrated that a freely localized 100 GHz microwave discharge can propagate towards the microwave source with high speed, forming a complex pattern of self-organized filaments. We present three-dimensional simulations of the formation and propagation of such patterns that reveal more information on their nature and interaction with the electromagnetic waves. The developed three-dimensional Maxwell-plasma solver permits the study of different forms of incident field polarization. Results for linear and circular polarization of the wave are presented and comparisons with recent experiments show a good overall agreement. The three dimensional simulations provide a quantitative analysis of the parameters controlling the time and length scales of the strongly non-linear plasma dynamics and could be useful for potential microwave plasma applications such as aerodynamic flow and combustion control.

• OSTI ID: 22407958
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 21; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
AIR
BREAKDOWN
COMBUSTION CONTROL
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
FILAMENTS
GHZ RANGE
HIGH-FREQUENCY DISCHARGES
MICROWAVE RADIATION
PLASMA
POLARIZATION
PRESSURE RANGE MEGA PA 10-100
SIMULATION
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS