2 ms·

If it’s just using the microwaves to heat the air why not use resistive coils instead?

• whatshisface 7y ago
  The plasma is the resistive coil. Microwaves are used to carry energy to it because wires would melt.
  • mrfusion 7y ago
    How about tungsten coils?
    • catalogia 7y ago
      I think those would burn, since these engines are meant to breath air (with oxygen in it.) Tungsten filaments work in lightbulbs because those are filled with an inert gas, or vacuum. The filaments burn quick when the bulb is broken.
    • whatshisface 7y ago
      There's really no solid that can handle thermal plasma. We're talking 10,000K to 100,000K temperatures here.