An improved wavelength selection scheme for Monte Carlo solvers applied to hypersonic plasmas

A new databasing scheme is developed for Monte Carlo Ray Tracing methods applied to hypersonic planetary entry. In this scheme, the complex relationships for the emission wavelength selection of atomic and molecular species in nonequilibrium flows are simplified by developing random number relationships for individual transitions, as opposed to using relationships for the spectral emission coefficient of a given species. These new techniques speed up wavelength selection by about 2 orders of magnitude, and offer flexibility for use in weighted or part-spectrum Monte Carlo solvers.

Research highlights►Databasing method for Monte Carlo solutions in hypersonic flow plasmas is developed. ►line-by-line accurate at 1/10th the computational cost of previous techniques. ►Adaptable design for use in part-spectrum calculations.