Identification of the laminar-turbulent transition process in a plasma plume.

This paper illustrates the complete dynamics of the laminar-turbulent transition process in a plasma plume using a simple measurement of the magnation-point heat flux correlated with acoustic, optical, and voltage drop fluctuations. In the laminar flow regime a steady jet is produced and the heat fluxes are accurately predicted hr laminar correlations. The initial stage of transition is characterized by the formation of axisymmetric structures and velocity fluctuations which increase the heat flux over laminar correlations. This is followed by a rapid decrease in heat flux as the vortex structures become more intense and rapidly entrain external air into the plume. The plume oscillations (acoustical and voltage drop) become most intense and are identical in frequency at the point of minimum heat flux. The transition is complete which the transition to small-scale turbulence in the exiting boundary layer which results in dec reased entrainment and increased heat flux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]