Time-resolved measurements of plasma-induced momentum in air and nitrogen under dielectric barrier discharge actuation

There has been much recent interest in boundary layer (BL) actuation by offset surface dielectric barrier discharges (SDBD). These discharges either act directly on the gas momentum through the mechanism of charge separation or they increase the flow stability through the creation of disturbances to the BL at a particular frequency. The objective of the work reported here is to clarify the physical mechanism of plasma-flow interaction. Two problems are considered in detail: the exact spatial/temporal distribution of the plasma-related force, and the specific role of negative ions in the net force budget. The experiments were made with an offset electrode configuration of SDBD at voltage amplitude U≤12 kV and frequency f=0.02-2 kHz. The main data were obtained by time-resolved Pitot tube pressure measurements in air and nitrogen at atmospheric pressure. Three main features of SDBD behavior were considered. First, the strong inhomogeneity in the spatial distribution of the plasma-induced flow were detected. Second, the principal role of negative ions in plasma-induced flow generation was established. Third, the two types of gas disturbances were observed: the thermal effect and momentum transfer effect (ion wind). To explain the aforementioned features of SDBD behavior in air and nitrogen the results of numerical simulation have been used.