NONEQUILIBRIUM ELECTRON TEMPERATURE EFFECTS IN WEAKLY IONIZED STAGNATION BOUNDARY LAYERS
Abstract
An electron energy equation is formulated for weakly ionized stagnation boundary layers (degree of ionization in the order of 0.1% or less) over highly cooled surfaces. Only the cases of moderately negative wall potential with respect to the plasma, where the ratio of the electron to ion current densities is between about 1/10 to 10, are considered. The equation is simplified by taking advantage of the fact that the electron energy equation is rather insensitive to the detailed variation of the electron concentration profile. A solution of the simplified electron energy equation is obtained analytically for the cases where the electron temperatures are not in equilibrium with the neutral gas temperatures. The effects of nonequilibrium electron temperatures on the electrical characteristics of the boundary layer are then analyzed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0405937
Entities
People
- James F. Mullen
- Paul M. Chung
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation