Development of gas-dynamic perturbations propagating from a distributed sliding surface discharge

Results are presented from experimental studies of the plasma layer structure of a distributed sliding surface discharge excited in quiescent air and in a uniform gas flow behind a plane shock wave at gas densities of 0.03-0.30 kg/m(3). The dynamics of weak shock waves generated after discharge initiation was studied. According to the experimental and simulation results, 40% of the discharge energy transforms into heat within a surface gas layer in the energy input stage, which lasts up to 200 ns.