The potassium atom density distribution and plasma temperature profile in an MHD channel

Summary Form only given, as follows. The value of the natural damping ratio, a´, which is needed to calculate the density, N/sub k/, of potassium atoms in a magnetohydrodynamic plasma, has been determined experimentally. The choice of measurement frequency is discussed. The results showed that N/sub k/ in an ethyl-alcohol combustion plasma in which the potassium atom is 1 wt.% of the total components and at a temperature between 1700 and 2300 K is within the range 10/sup 22/-10/sup 23/ m/sup -3/. Since the total particle count in the combustion gas plasma is 3*10/sup 24/ approximately 4*10/sup 24/ m/sup -3/ in the above temperature range, the mol fraction of the potassium atoms as a percentage of the total components is 5*10/sup -3/ approximately 3*10/sup -2/. This value is much larger than the mol fraction of potassium atoms obtained under conditions of chemical reaction equilibrium. This is considered to be the chief cause of water drops during experiments and greatly influences the optical measurement of solid-state seed materials.<>