Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Propagation of an ionization front in the beam channel was observed after plasma was generated using a 170GHz millimeter-wave beam in the atmosphere. The propagation velocity of the ionization front was found to be supersonic when the millimeter-wave power density was greater than 75kWcm−2. The momentum coupling coefficient Cm, a ratio of the propulsive impulse to the input energy, was measured using conical and cylindrical thruster models. A Cm value greater than 350NMW−1 was recorded when the ionization front propagated with supersonic velocity.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Oda et al. (2006) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: