An Experimental Investigation of Microwave Diagnostics in a Labscale Rocket Exhaust Plume

摘要

The results of an experimental program using focused electromagnetic waves in the microwave band to determine the electron density of labscale rocket exhaust plumes at atmospheric pressure is presented. The analytically determined limiting factors for achieving experimental results using microwave methods in a labscale rocket exhaust are discussed. Microwave attenuation and phase shift for multiple frequency transmission were observed. It was determined that multiple frequency microwave attenuation is the best method for determining electron density in the pressure regime investigated.