The electron temperature in the plasma of a DC discharge created in a supersonic airflow

Abstract

The plasma parameters of a pulsating DC discharge created in a supersonic airflow with a Mach number of M = 2 are determined. It is revealed that along with the intense bands of CN and the molecular nitrogen ion, as well as the spectral lines of atomic oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and copper, an intense continuous spectrum is observed in the spectrum of the gas-discharge plasma radiation, which is caused by the deceleration of electrons on ions. The dependences of the electron temperature on the discharge current and longitudinal coordinates are determined. It was revealed that the studied plasma is nonequilibrium, with the electron temperature being much higher than the gas temperature.