Ion Current to a Cylindrical Electrostatic Probe Inclined to the Flow Directino of a Weakly Ionized, High-Density Gas

Abstract

The characteristics of a cylindrical electrostatic probe inclined to the flow direction of a weakly ionized, high-density gas have been studied. The experiment was conducted by using potassium-seeded propane-air combustion gas flows. A brief theory for such a probe was developed also, and the results were compared with the experimental results. The ion current j₊ to the probe inclined at an angle φ to the flow direction was found to change with φ. The maximum and minimum ion currents were obtained at φ=90 and 0°, respectively. It was shown that the relation between j₊ and φ could be expressed as follows : j₊/j₊₉₀=sin^0.43φ, where j₊₉₀ is the ion current at φ90°. This relation agread well with the experimental results in the range 30°≤φ≤90°.