ON THE THEORY OF THE RADAR-PLASMA ABSORPTION EFFECT
Abstract
The usual manifestation of the phenomenon known as the radar absorption effect is the drastic reduction of the radar cross section of a body when it is surrounded by a plasms sheath having certain spatial configuration and electromagnetic properties. This effect has been observed during the atmospheric reentry of hypersonic test vehicles and in laboratory studies of models in hypersonic flight. A brief review of the hypersonic aerodynamics, chemical physics, plasma physics, and electromagnetic wave scattering phenomena involved in the study of plasma effects on radar cross sections is given. It is shown that the effect of the plasma sheath on the radar cross section of a hypersonic body can be considered separately from the effect of the plasma trail left behind the body. Several theoretical models of electromagnetic wave scattering from plasma-covered bodies are formulated and analyzed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0421889
Entities
People
- H. M. Musal Jr.