Investigation of the processes occurring in an optical plasmatron by numerical calculation

The equations describing in terms of a one-dimensional model a continuous optical discharge in a stream of argon and air, sustained by focused CO₂ laser radiation, are integrated numerically. A comparison is made with an experiment using argon at atmospheric pressure. The results obtained are used to discuss the physical laws governing the operation of a plasmatron. Calculations are used to explain the influence of radiative heat transfer on the propagation of optical combustion waves.