Plasma Antenna Radiation Characteristics.
Abstract
The report presents an analysis of the physical and electrical characteristics of a plasma jet for the purpose of using the plasma column as an antenna. The report presents a first order approximation synthesis of an argon arc jet in air, at atmospheric pressure. The jet is in the shape of a cylindrical column of high temperature laminar flow for a considerable length (approximately one meter) and terminates abruptly because of turbulent mixing with air. Along the extension of the laminar flow, the sole important loss mechanism is assumed to be radiation. The equation of energy balance allows computation of the axial temperature distribution, and, therefore, the axial conductivity distribution. An approximate solution for the current distribution on a cylindrical antenna with axially varying conductivity is obtained. Coupling the conductivity distribution obtained into the solution for the current distribution, it is shown that the argon arc jet can provide a highly capable UHF antenna. For antennas in the HF range it is suggested that combustion jets be utilized. The proper conductivities may be obtained by seeding with low ionization material. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0852185
Entities
People
- Haralambos N. Kritikos
- Jonathan Allen
- Kuo C. Lang
- Percy Yen
- Pietro P. Lombardini
Organizations
- Moore School of Electrical Engineering