Attenuation characteristics of electromagnetic waves in plasma generated by coating radionuclide on surface structures

Abstract

Stealth technology plays an important role in modern military conflicts, especially when used in fighter jets. Since airfoil structures have a leading edge, inlet, and surface bulge that are easily detected by radar, it is necessary to study the stealth of these structures. In this study, we investigate structures coated with radionuclides to generate plasma. Using simulation and calculation methods, the attenuation of 0.1–10 GHz electromagnetic waves propagating in plasma was studied. The results showed that the attenuation of low-frequency electromagnetic waves is greater than that of high-frequency electromagnetic waves. The attenuation of 0.1–1 GHz electromagnetic waves is found to be less than − 2.7 dB, − 3.0 dB, and − 15.6 dB at the airfoil leading edge, inlet, and surface bulge structures, respectively. We also found that the attenuation of electromagnetic waves with 0°-incidence is greater than that of waves with 10°, 20°, and 30° incidence angles. Additionally, the attenuation of electromagnetic waves decreases gradually as the incident angle increases.