On the structure of the two-dimensional spatially periodic inner transition layers in a gas-discharge plasma

We investigate the structure of the spatially periodic inner boundary layers in the plasma of a positive glow-discharge column produced in a long cylindrical tube with an electropositive gas inside. Asymptotic methods, namely, the method of boundary functions, are used to analyze the initial mathematical model. We consider the formation of contrast burst-type structures. We have found all principal terms of the boundary-layer asymptotics of the solution. The results obtained are compared with the available probe measurements of basic physical parameters of ionization waves (strata) in neon at low pressures.     

Supersonic flow of a nonequilibrium gas-discharge plasma around a body

The flow of a nonequilibrium gas-discharge plasma around a semicylindrical body is studied. The aim of the study is to see how a change in the degree of nonequilibrium of the incoming plasma changes the separation distance between a shock wave and the body. Experiments are carried out with a supersonic nozzle into which a semicylindrical body is placed. The inlet of the nozzle is connected to a shock tube. In the course of the experiment, electrodes built into the wall of the nozzle initiate a gas discharge in front of the body to produce an additional nonequilibrium ionization in the stationary incoming supersonic flow. The discharge parameters are selected such that the discharge raises the electron temperature and still minimizes heating of the gas. The degree of nonequilibrium of the flow varies with gas-discharge current. Diagnostics of the flow is carried out with a schlieren system based on a semiconductor laser. The system can record flow patterns at definite time instants after discharge initiation.     

Generation of a gas-discharge air plasma in a supersonic magnetohydrodynamic channel

A method for ionizing a supersonic air flow is developed to obtain a flow conductivity sufficient for a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) interaction and generation of a magnetically induced current in a supersonic nozzle. The efficiencies of several (high-frequency, multiple-pulse high-voltage, and combined) methods for initiating a gas discharge used for ionizing air are compared. The supersonic air flow is ionized by a pulse-periodic high-voltage discharge producing an air plasma with a conductivity of up to 20 S/m. The experimentally obtained magnetically induced current of 0.1 A is smaller than the rated value owing to the Hall effect and the electrode voltage drop. The theoretical possibility of obtaining a magnetically induced current in a supersonic air flow is demonstrated; such currents can subsequently be used for controlling the flow in air inlets of aircraft.     

Simulation of emission spectra of the gas-discharge plasma of a krypton-xenon mixture

The narrow-band radiation observed in the range of the resonance line of xenon at 147 nm in the VUV emission spectra of the gas-discharge plasma of a krypton-xenon mixture is proposed to interpret as a manifestation of bound-bound transitions between the vibrational levels of the excited electronic states 0⁺(³ P ₁) and 1(³ P ₁) and the ground electronic state 0⁺(¹ S ₀) in the KrXe* molecule. A correction of the potential curves of the electronic states under consideration is proposed from a comparison of the calculated and experimental spectra.     

Production of nanodiamond composites in a low-pressure microwave gas-discharge plasma

Kinetically favorable regions are determined for the production of film carbon materials of different allotropic modifications in the microwave plasma of the low-pressure ethanol vapor. Self-organization effects and polymorphic transformations caused by kinetic factors are detected. These phenomena are used to design a low-temperature technology of diamond-graphite and diamond-hydrocarbon nanocomposite materials with controlled surface concentrations and sizes of vertically bonded nanodiamond clusters from 4–5 to 100 nm in size located in a heterogeneous matrix. The influence of the technological parameters of the production of diamond-graphite nanocomposite film materials on their field-emission properties is determined. The emission properties are improved due to a change in the electrophysical properties of the material that is induced by an increase in the role of surface states on the strongly developed surface and by a decrease in the diamond micro-crystallite size in the heterogeneous hydrocarbon matrix.     

Unstable regime of the excitation of kinetic striations in a gas-discharge plasma

Chaotic striations in a low-pressure discharge in the regime corresponding to an unstable periodic orbit singled out of a chaotic attractor are stabilized. A specific feature of the wave process in question is the change in the type of some striations in the course of their motion in the positive column.     

Effect of air on the concentration of molecular hydrogen in the conversion of ethanol by a nonequilibrium gas-discharge plasma

The effect of air on the concentration of molecular hydrogen in the conversion of ethanol by a nonequilibrium gas-discharge plasma is theoretically studied. Two models are developed to calculate plasma kinetics in two operation regimes of an experimental setup used for ethanol conversion into free hydrogen in order to increase the efficiency of the combustion of heavy hydrocarbon fuels. A comparison with the experimental results demonstrates that both of the models adequately describe the kinetics of the discharge reactions.     

Formation of nanostructured carbon films in gas-discharge plasmas

Deposition of carbon materials from methane-hydrogen gas mixtures in a DC gas discharge is investigated. Parameters ensuring stable discharge conditions and synthesis of diamond and graphite-like films are determined. Optical emission spectroscopy is used to analyze the composition of the activated gas phase in the course of carbon film deposition. Synthesis of graphite-like carbon nanotubes and nanocrystallites is shown to correlate with the presence of C₂ dimers in the plasma. A noncatalytic mechanism of synthesis of nanostructured graphite in a carbon-containing gas phase is proposed.     

Liquid plasma crystal: Coulomb crystallization of cylindrical macroscopic grains in a gas-discharge plasma

Ordered structures formed of 300-μm-long cylindrical nylon grains with diameters of 15 and 7.5 μm are obtained. In contrast to conventional spherical monodisperse grains, which, under certain conditions, form the plasma-dust Coulomb crystal, the cylindrical grains in the plasma acquire a charge of ～7×10⁵ electrons and form a structure similar to a liquid crystal. The parameter characterizing the nonideality of the dusty component of the plasma attains 10⁶. Grains are suspended in the striation in the horizontal plane and line up in parallel with each other.     

Anomalous heating of a system of dust particles in a gas-discharge plasma

The coexistence of regions of negatively charged macroparticles with substantially different kinetic temperatures in a highly nonideal dusty plasma in a dc glow discharge has been observed experimentally. An explanation of the observed anomalous heating of the system of dust particles in a gas-discharge plasma is proposed on the basis of a molecular-dynamics model. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 66, No. 6, 392–397 (25 September 1997)     

Repetitively pulsed CO2 laser driven by an electron accelerator with a gas-discharge plasma cathode

A repetitively pulsed electron-beam-controlled CO₂ laser driven by an electron accelerator with a plasma electron emitter based on low-pressure glow discharge with hollow anode and cathode is presented. The application of the proposed emitter makes it possible to sharply increase the current and to control the electron-beam duration and, hence, the energy and time characteristics of the laser. It is demonstrated that the radiation pulse duration ranges from 300 to 1200 μs, whereas the radiation energy amounts to 200 J at an efficiency of 18%. In the course of lasing, the focal spot is not affected by the heterogeneous heating of the active medium. A significant heterogeneity in the gas flow upon an incomplete renewal of the gas in the zone filled with radiation leads to an increase in the focal spot owing to the wavefront distortions. Original Text ? Astro, Ltd., 2006.