INVESTIGATION OF PHYSICAL PROCESSES IN THE NEAR-ELECTRODE REGION OF MHD-GENERATORS.

An experimental investigation of cathode zone parameters of a diffusive discharge has been made. The laboratory installation provided an electric conductivity of the flow up to 20 (Ohm m)** minus **1, temperature up to 2650 K and velocity up to 30 m/s. The primary emphasis has been given to the application of the plasma capacitor for determining cathode zone parameters. In the frequency range of 100 kHz up to 30 MHz the components of the interelectrode gap impedance have been measured. On the base of frequency dependencies of the resistive and capacitive components of the impedance the thickness of the space-charge sheath near an electrode, the resistance of the sheath and the resistance of a quasi-neutral part of the gap plasma have been obtained.