Rf-assisted magnetohydrodynamic power generation in a pure-argon plasma

We describe seed-free pure-argon-plasma magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generation assisted by an external radio-frequency electromagnetic field to enhance the nonequilibrium plasma excitation process. The rf heating induces nonequilibrium ionization under a low total argon-gas temperature at which thermal ionization is insufficient. The rf-assisted plasma, the behavior of which is rather stable, contributes to continuous MHD energy conversion.

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