Radiation effects in a nonequilibrium corner-expansion flow of ionizing argon

The two-dimensional, steady, inviscid, nonequilibrium corner-expansion flow of ionized argon is solved numerically using the method of characteristics. The solution takes into account the chemical and thermal nonequilibrium processes as well as the appropriate radiation losses associated with the flow. It is shown that for the flow conditions considered (pre-corner values of temperature and electron number density are of the order of 1 eV and 10¹⁷ cm ^-3, respectively) the radiation losses play a minor role. Based on a comparison with experimental results, it is apparent that the proposed numerical solution can be used for the solution of supersonic, nonequilibrium plasma flows.