Electron beam generated plasmas in hypersonic MHD channels

The paper analyzes a novel concept of hypersonic cold-air MHD power generators and accelerators with ionization by electron beams. Ionization processes are considered in detail, and profiles of charge particle densities generated by electron beams are computed. Strong coupling between hypersonic boundary layers and electrode sheaths is demonstrated, and anode voltage fall in hypersonic MHD channels is shown to be anomalously high. 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.