Numerical and Experimental Study on Plasma and Electromagnetic Wave Interaction in a Weakly Ionized Flow

该项目提出了一种结合计算电磁法的非平衡等离子体模型和一种创新的非热等离子体源停电实验配置，可以克服当前地面实验设施的局限性。该项目将通过高保真的强热化学非平衡流物理模型和创新的地面停电实验方法，为开发破坏性停电缓解技术做出贡献。与以往研究非平衡空气热力学点下的射电停电相比，本项目将考虑包括电子密度波动影响的电子综合电磁模型。虽然飞行器的空气热力学是在飞行器周围产生等离子体层的主要机制，但它在描述无线电波衰减机制方面的作用有限。考虑富电子条件下的电磁学将有助于研究无线电停电的详细机制和停电缓解方案的有效性，特别是使用磁场和金属颗粒。由于以往研究中采用的简化信号衰减模型是基于等离子体非磁化、非碰撞、无尘埃、波传播方向相对较厚的假设，因此无法准确预测磁化尘埃等离子体条件下的信号衰减。本项目采用多学科方法，涉及等离子体物理学和计算电磁学，研究再入无线电停电，可以汇集不同学科的专家，并建立新的合作研究联系，以克服学科之间的科学障碍，如激光聚变和空间等离子体。因此，该项目的成果将增强英国航天部门的技术竞争力，并为空间商业化创造动力和基础，这将为英国带来巨大的经济和安全效益。

The project is proposing state-of-art nonequilibrium plasma model coupled with computational electromagnetic methods and an innovative blackout experiment configuration using non-thermal plasma source which can overcome the limitation of current ground-based experimental facilities. This project will contribute to developing a disruptive blackout mitigation technology through a high-fidelity physical model for strong thermochemical nonequilibrium flow and an innovative ground-based blackout experimental method. Compared to previous radio blackout studies which are investigated a radio blackout under the point of non-equilibrium aerothermodynamics, the project will consider the comprehensive electromagnetic model of electrons including the effects of electron density fluctuation. Although the aerothermodynamic of a vehicle is the primary mechanism to create a plasma layer around the vehicle, it has a limited role in describing the mechanism of radio wave attenuation. Considering electromagnetism in electron rich conditions will help to investigate the detailed mechanism of radio blackout and the effectiveness of blackout mitigation schemes particularly using a magnetic field and metallic particles. The simplified signal attenuation model used in the previous studies cannot be employed to accurately predict signal attenuation under magnetised dusty plasma conditions because it is based on the assumptions that the plasma is non-magnetised, non-collisional, dust-free, and relatively thick in the direction of wave propagation. This project takes a multidisciplinary approach involving plasma physics and computational electromagnetics to study a re-entry radio blackout which can bring experts in different disciplines and create new collaborative research link to overcome the scientific barriers between disciplines such as laser fusion and space plasmas. Therefore, the outcome of this project will enhance the technological competitiveness of the UK space sector, and create the momentum and foundation toward the commercialization of space, which will deliver tremendous economic and security benefits to the UK.