Thermal Fluctuation Characteristics around a Nanosecond Pulsed Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuator using a Frequency Analysis based on Schlieren Images

Abstract

A thermal fluctuation driven by a burst plasma discharge is experimentally investigated using a frequency analysis based on the Schlieren images. The burst plasma discharge is controlled by an interval frequency fint = 200 Hz and a pulse frequency fB = 3.6 kHz as well as the duration time of the burst event: Ton. A burst feature is defined as a burst ratio BR = Ton/(1/fint). The burst plasma discharge generates a burst-induced hot plume growing above a ground electrode. In a high burst ratio, which is BR = 0.45 and 0.57, the burst-induced hot plume is formed as a wave thermal pattern that is mainly fluctuated at the interval frequency of 200 Hz. Additionally, a maximum fluctuation spot of 200 Hz appears near the edge of an exposed electrode in a low burst ratio, whereas it moves towards the ground electrode in the high burst ratio. The possible scenario is that a relatively strong ionic wind and/or an induced jet generated in the high burst ratio might cause the movement of the maximum fluctuation spot.