Theoretical analysis of an external pulsed plasma jet

A theoretical description for a highly underexpanded, supersonic, pulsed pl asma jet is presented, using an approximate analytical model. The model ass umes an inviscid formulation and introduces an ad hoc asymptotic matching p rocedure with a perfect gas approximation, However, the specific heat ratio is allowed to be pressure and temperature dependent and the gas constant i s a function of the degree of ionization. The model can resolve the shock s tructure and transient gas dynamic flow field for propellant discharges cha racteristic of the muzzle blast from conven-tional thermochemical guns and plasma discharges. Quantitative results are presented for the analytical mo del and compared to experimental data.