High frequency AC electric glow discharge visualization technology and application in big diameter hypersonic low-density wind tunnel

Abstract

In order to visualize the rarefied flow field in a Φ1m hypersonic low-density wind tunnel, an electric glow discharge technique based on high frequency excited power has been developed. Firstly, finite element simulation analysis has been carried out, and it is concluded that the breakdown voltage can be reduced by using high frequency power supply; then an electric glow discharge apparatus has been fabricated, and the discharge images were compared with simulations; besides, a clear flow field around HB-1 standard model has been observed using this technology; finally, the influence of glow discharge on the flow field, as well as the differences between direct current and high frequency electric glow discharges is discussed at the end of this paper.