Analysis on the propagation characteristics of the EM wave in the nonuniform magnetized plasma sheath
A novel FDTD method, Shift-Operator Finite Difference Time-Domain (SO-FDTD) is promoted. Propagator matrix method (PMM) is successfully utilized to study the propagation characteristics of EM waves in the nonuniform magnetized plasma sheath model of blunt cone. The results of the two methods are compared and both of results indicate that the external magnetic field changes propagation characteristics of EM waves in plasma, broadens the transmission bandwidth and improves the transmissivity of EM waves, which can be perfectly applied in re-entry communications.
Simulation of the influence high-frequency (2 MHz) capacitive gas discharge and magnetic field on the plasma sheath near a surface in hypersonic gas flow
The plasma sheath near the surface of a hypersonic aircraft formed under associative ionization behind the shock front shields the transmission and reception of radio signals. Using two-dimensional kinetic particle-in-cell simulations, we consider the change in plasma-sheath parameters near a flat surface in a hypersonic flow under the action of electrical and magnetic fields. The combined action of a high-frequency 2-MHz capacitive discharge, a constant voltage, and a magnetic field on the plasma sheath allows the local electron density to be reduced manyfold.
Electrostatic-probe measurements of plasma parameters for two reentry flight experiments at 25000 feet per second
Unique plasma diagnostic measurements at high altitudes from two geometrically similar blunt body reentry spacecraft using electrostatic probe rakes are presented. The probes measured the positive ion density profiles (shape and magnitude) during the two flights. The probe measurements were made at eight discrete points (1 cm to 7 cm) from the vehicle surface in the aft flow field of the spacecraft over the altitude range of 85.3 to 53.3 km (280,000 to 175,000 ft) with measured densities of 10 to the 8th power to 10 to the 12th power electrons/cu cm, respectively. Maximum reentry velocity for each spacecraft was approximately 7620 meters/second (25,000 ft/sec). In the first flight experiment, water was periodically injected into a flow field which was contaminated by ablation products from the spacecraft nose region. The nonablative nose of the second spacecraft thereby minimized flow field contamination. Comparisons of the probe measured density profiles with theoretical calculations are presented with discussion as to the probable cause of significant disagreement. Also discussed are the correlation of probe measurements with vehicle angle of attack motions and the good high altitude agreement between electron densities inferred from the probe measurements, VHF antenna measurements, and microwave reflectometer diagnostic measurements.