Design of Optical Measurements for Plasma Actuators for the Validation of Quiescent and Flow Control Simulations

The concept of plasma flow control is a relatively new idea based on using atmospheric plasma placed near the edge of an air foil to reduce boundary layer losses. As with any new concept, it is important to be able to quantify theoretical assumptions with known experimental results for validation. Currently there are a variety of experiments being done to better understand plasma flow control, but one particular experiment is through the use of multi-physics modeling of dielectric barrier discharge actuators. The research in this thesis uses optical measurement techniques to validate computational models of flow control actuators being done concurrently at Virginia Tech. The primary focus of this work is to design, build and test plasma actuators in order to determine the plasma characteristics relating to electron temperatures and densities. Using optical measurement techniques such as plasma spectroscopy, measured electron temperatures and densities to compare with theoretical calculations of plasma flow control under a variety of flow conditions. This thesis covers a background of plasma physics, optical measurement techniques, and the designing of the plasma actuator setups used in measuring atmospheric plasmas.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nuclear Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Nuclear Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Lam, Derrick Chuk-Wung

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Winfrey, Leigh

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Pierson, Mark Alan
• Liu, Yang

• Plasma diagnostics
• spectroscopy
• spectrometer
• electron temperature
• electron density
• 3D printed
• experimental
• Simulation
• quiescent
• flow control
• plasma actuator
• OES
• optical emission spectroscopy.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:7096

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/64510