Effect of Plasma Sheaths on Earth-Entry Magnetohydrodynamics

What is it about?

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is a process through which forces can be exerted using a magnetic field on a electrically conducting fluid at a distance through the Lorentz force. We here study for the first time the effect of the plasma sheath on MHD in planetary entry. The plasma sheath is a thin region near the electrodes which depends on the electrode material and which is here seen to have a critical impact on the MHD forces. Changing the electrode material from thoriated tungsten to graphite changes the MHD force by 20 times.

Featured Image