Supersonic Plasma Streams Seeded with Electronegative Gases

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1963 · Physics of Fluids (New York)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1711245· OSTI ID:4065900

Carswell, Allan I.; Cloutier, Gilles G.

An experimental study of the properties of supersonic plasma streams, which were seeded with small amounts of an electronegative gas, is described. It was found that striking reductions of the electron and ion densities of the plasma can be achieved using sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) as the seed gas. The properties of seeded argon streams at pressures of 1 torr and velocities of about Mach-2 were studied using double-probe and microwave (9.2 Bc/sec) scattering techniques. The results show that when the SF₆ is introduced with a concentration of only 5 x 10^-4 relative to that of the argon in the stream, the plasma is quenched almost completely. Under these conditions the reflection of microwaves from the stream is reduced by 20 db and the probe measurements show the presence of the hole'' cut in the plasma by the SF₆. Measurements of seedling with argon, nitrogen, and oxygen in the argon streams are also discussed.

• Research Organization: RCA Victor Research Labs., Montreal
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-017176
• OSTI ID: 4065900
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids (New York), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids (New York) Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 7; ISSN 0031-9171; ISSN PFLDAS
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ARGON
CURRENTS
DENSITY
ELECTRIC CHARGES
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRONS
FREQUENCY
GAS FLOW
GASES
IMPURITIES
IONIZATION
IONS
MEASURED VALUES
MICROWAVES
NITROGEN
OXYGEN
PLASMA
PRESSURE
PROBES
REFLECTION
SCATTERING
SPACE CHARGE
SULFUR FLUORIDES
ULTRASONICS
VELOCITY