Experimental study on surface arc plasma actuation-based hypersonic boundary layer transition flow control

Effective control of hypersonic transition is essential. In order to avoid affecting the structural profile of the aircraft, as well as reducing power consumption and electromagnetic interference, a low-frequency surface arc plasma disturbance experiment to promote hypersonic transition was carried out in the φ0.25 m double-throat Ludwieg tube wind tunnel at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Contacting printed circuit board sensors and non-contact focused laser differential interferometry testing technology were used in combination. Experimental results showed that the low-frequency surface arc plasma actuation had obvious stimulation effects on the second-mode unstable wave and could promote boundary layer transition by changing the spectral characteristics of the second-mode unstable wave. At the same time, the plasma actuation could promote energy exchange between the second-mode unstable wave and other unstable waves. Finally, the corresponding control mechanism is discussed.