Electron density control by fluorides for dielectric property modulation in gaseous discharge plasmas

Abstract

Two kinds of fluorides are proposed innovatively to modulate the dielectric property of the plasma by reducing the electron density. There is a maximum of 74.41% electron density reduction after the fluorides are injected into the plasma at a magnitude of 1019 m−3, and the corresponding plasma frequency reduction is 49.42%. The fluorides proposed in this paper exhibit a wider modulation range, a faster modulation speed, and a longer maintenance time compared with SF6. The electromagnetic (EM) wave transmission characteristics in plasma are modulated correspondingly. The attenuation of S21 is reduced by 15.11–20.11 dB in 6–18 GHz, and an enhancement in the whole experimental frequency range is observed compared with SF6. The results of the paper can be applied in the mitigation of reentry vehicle's EM wave attenuation induced by the over-dense plasma sheath covering the vehicle. In addition, it also has a potential in broad applications of EM wave and plasma interactions.