Effect of a magnetic field on ionizing electric discharge in air

We have studied the effect of an external magnetic field on the form and structure of high-voltage gas discharge used for the ionization of airflow to the degree (∼10−5) necessary for the creation of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) control system. The experimental setup based on a shock tube comprised a magnetic field generation system, a 2–4 μs-pulsed, high-voltage, ionizing discharge system and an expanding MHD channel with a set of electrodes oriented along and across the magnetic field. In the first series of experiments, the discharge current was closed along the magnetic field lines; in the second series, the current was closed in the transverse direction. The patterns of discharge glow at various values of the magnetic induction were monitored. It is established that the most effective configuration employs periodic pulsed ionizing discharge in the transverse direction and a system of electrodes closing the magnetic-field-induced current.