DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF A RADIO FREQUENCY PLASMA SOURCE. PART I. SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATOR,
Abstract
The design, construction and performance of a very high radio frequency discharge plasma source is discussed. The purpose of such a device in the present research program is to provide a source of nonequilibrium air plasma of suitable electrical conductivity for the operation of the traveling wave pump, an electrodeless induction plasma accelerator. The final accelerated plasma stream is sought as a flow facility for high altitude high Mach number flight simulation. A study of the plasma stream effluent from the source is made and electron energy distributions and electron density profiles are presented as a function of operating power input and pressure. The electrical conductivity of the plasma and the wall energy losses are also measured. At the lowest pressure of operation (35 millitorrs) the ratio of electron temperature to gas temperature is found to be over 200 at the point of highest gas temperature. The electrical circuits for generating the radio frequency energy and for diagnostics measurements are also discussed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0665895
Entities
People
- C. W. Haldeman
- E. E. Covert
- J. B. Coffin Jr.
- L. R. Boedeker
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology