Electron-beam-generated plasmas in hypersonic magnetohydrodynamic channels

A novel concept is analyzed of hypersonic cold-air magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generators and accelerators with ionization by electron beams. Ionization processes are considered in detail. Strong coupling between hypersonic boundary layers and electrode sheaths is demonstrated, and anode voltage fall in hypersonic MHD channels is shown to be very high. A potential anode sheaths instability and ways to suppress it are discussed. Electron beams are shown to be capable of generating an adequate conductivity in cold air, while allowing full control and stable operation of MHD channels. Example calculations of hypersonic accelerator and power generator performance appear to be promising.