O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi apresentar o projeto, o desenvolvimento, a caracterização e a aplicação de um novo dispositivo híbrido gerador de plasma. Este dispositivo consiste em uma tocha de plasma híbrida, a qual é caracterizada pela formação simultânea de dois arcos plasmas, em apenas um dispositivo, que geram um jato de plasma com elevada densidade de energia. Esta tocha é proveniente da união de dois processos geradores de plasma: Plasma Não-Transferido e Propulsor Magnetoplasmadinâmico. A tocha de plasma híbrida desenvolvida no Laboratório de Soldagem & Técnicas Conexas foi submetida aos seguintes testes: testes iniciais de funcionamento para verificar possíveis problemas de projeto e limites de operação da tocha; testes experimentais para caracterização da tocha de plasma híbrida, os quais consistiram em determinar as curvas características de tensão e corrente, o comprimento do jato de plasma, a distribuição de temperatura do jato de plasma expulso para fora da câmara, e a força propulsora resultante do jato de plasma; e testes de aplicação da tocha de plasma híbrida em processos de fabricação, tais como soldagem, corte e endurecimento superficial. Com base nos resultados obtidos para os testes de funcionamento do dispositivo, alguns problemas de isolamento elétrico e térmico foram encontrados e resolvidos. Quanto aos resultados dos testes de caracterização, os parâmetros de funcionamento da tocha de plasma híbrida apresentaram influência significativa sobre as curvas características de tensão e corrente, os comprimentos do jato de plasma, as forças propulsoras resultantes e as distribuições de temperatura. Os resultados obtidos nos testes de aplicação do dispositivo em processos de fabricação foram satisfatórios, isto é, foi possível realizar soldagens, cortes e endurecimento superficial com a tocha de plasma híbrida. Contudo, um novo dispositivo gerador de plasma foi desenvolvido para aplicações em processos de fabricação, porém novos estudos devem ser realizados para encontrar melhores parâmetros e assim conseguir soldagem, corte e endurecimento superficial com excelentes qualidades. / The main objective of this work was to present the project, development, characterization and application to a new hybrid plasma generator device. This device consists of a hybrid plasma torch that is characterized by the simultaneous formation of two plasma arcs in only one device, generating a plasma jet with high energy density. This torch arises from the union of two different plasma processes: Plasma Non-transferred and Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster. The hybrid plasma torch developed in the Welding & Related Techniques Laboratory was submitted to the following trials: trials of operation to identify possible design problems and operations torch limits; trials to characterization of hybrid plasma torch that determined the characteristics curves of voltage and current, the length, the temperature distribution, and the thruster of the plasma jet; and application trials of hybrid plasma torch in manufacturing process, such as welding, cutting and hardening surface. Based at initial operation trials results with the device, some electrical and thermal insulation problems were found and solved. Concerning the results of the characterization trials, the hybrid plasma torch parameters had a significant influence over the voltage and current curves, the lengths of the plasma jet, the resultant thrusters and the temperature distributions. The results obtained in manufacturing process application trials were satisfactory, i.e. was possible to carry out welding, cutting and hardening surface with the hybrid plasma torch. However, a new plasma generated device was developed for application in manufacturing processes, but further studies should be performed to find the best parameters to acquire excellent qualities of welding, cutting and hardening surface.

O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi apresentar o projeto, o desenvolvimento, a caracterização e a aplicação de um novo dispositivo híbrido gerador de plasma. Este dispositivo consiste em uma tocha de plasma híbrida, a qual é caracterizada pela formação simultânea de dois arcos plasmas, em apenas um dispositivo, que geram um jato de plasma com elevada densidade de energia. Esta tocha é proveniente da união de dois processos geradores de plasma: Plasma Não-Transferido e Propulsor Magnetoplasmadinâmico. A tocha de plasma híbrida desenvolvida no Laboratório de Soldagem & Técnicas Conexas foi submetida aos seguintes testes: testes iniciais de funcionamento para verificar possíveis problemas de projeto e limites de operação da tocha; testes experimentais para caracterização da tocha de plasma híbrida, os quais consistiram em determinar as curvas características de tensão e corrente, o comprimento do jato de plasma, a distribuição de temperatura do jato de plasma expulso para fora da câmara, e a força propulsora resultante do jato de plasma; e testes de aplicação da tocha de plasma híbrida em processos de fabricação, tais como soldagem, corte e endurecimento superficial. Com base nos resultados obtidos para os testes de funcionamento do dispositivo, alguns problemas de isolamento elétrico e térmico foram encontrados e resolvidos. Quanto aos resultados dos testes de caracterização, os parâmetros de funcionamento da tocha de plasma híbrida apresentaram influência significativa sobre as curvas características de tensão e corrente, os comprimentos do jato de plasma, as forças propulsoras resultantes e as distribuições de temperatura. Os resultados obtidos nos testes de aplicação do dispositivo em processos de fabricação foram satisfatórios, isto é, foi possível realizar soldagens, cortes e endurecimento superficial com a tocha de plasma híbrida. Contudo, um novo dispositivo gerador de plasma foi desenvolvido para aplicações em processos de fabricação, porém novos estudos devem ser realizados para encontrar melhores parâmetros e assim conseguir soldagem, corte e endurecimento superficial com excelentes qualidades. / The main objective of this work was to present the project, development, characterization and application to a new hybrid plasma generator device. This device consists of a hybrid plasma torch that is characterized by the simultaneous formation of two plasma arcs in only one device, generating a plasma jet with high energy density. This torch arises from the union of two different plasma processes: Plasma Non-transferred and Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster. The hybrid plasma torch developed in the Welding & Related Techniques Laboratory was submitted to the following trials: trials of operation to identify possible design problems and operations torch limits; trials to characterization of hybrid plasma torch that determined the characteristics curves of voltage and current, the length, the temperature distribution, and the thruster of the plasma jet; and application trials of hybrid plasma torch in manufacturing process, such as welding, cutting and hardening surface. Based at initial operation trials results with the device, some electrical and thermal insulation problems were found and solved. Concerning the results of the characterization trials, the hybrid plasma torch parameters had a significant influence over the voltage and current curves, the lengths of the plasma jet, the resultant thrusters and the temperature distributions. The results obtained in manufacturing process application trials were satisfactory, i.e. was possible to carry out welding, cutting and hardening surface with the hybrid plasma torch. However, a new plasma generated device was developed for application in manufacturing processes, but further studies should be performed to find the best parameters to acquire excellent qualities of welding, cutting and hardening surface.

L’un des défis majeurs pour la conception des capsules de rentrée concerne la modélisation des transferts convectifs et radiatifs à la surface du véhicule. A certains points des trajectoires de rentrée super-orbitale, jusqu’à 40% du flux radiatif total émane du domaine spectral VUV (vacuum ultraviolet), or c’est dans ce domaine que les incertitudes sont les plus fortes. Ce haut niveau d’incertitudes est dû en particulier à un manque de données expérimentales fiables. Le rayonnement VUV est en effet difficile à mesurer en raison de la forte absorption de l’air et des optiques utilisées pour sa mesure. Des difficultés d’analyse supplémentaires sont causées par le fort degré d’auto-absorption et par l’élargissement spectral des raies dans le VUV. L’objectif central de cette étude était d’obtenir des spectres d’émission expérimentaux calibrés dans le VUV afin d’étudier les processus physico-chimiques dans la couche de choc qui contrôlent le flux radiatif. Plus précisément, les objectifs étaient de comparer les spectres observés parallèlement et perpendiculairement à la couche de choc, d’étudier les effets sur l’intensité des raies spectrales émises dans le VUV de l’auto-absorption et de l’élargissement spectral en fonction de la profondeur de champ radiatif (épaisseur optique). Les mesures effectuées perpendiculairement et parallèlement à la surface d’une maquette placée dans l’écoulement représentent un premier jeu de données expérimentales calibrées dans le VUV qui seront utiles pour valider les codes de calcul destinés à prédire le flux radiatif incident. Les mesures obtenues pour différentes profondeurs de champ radiatif représentent quant à elles un ensemble de données expérimentales uniques pour la validation des modèles de transport radiatif et des coefficients d’élargissement des raies. Cette étude s’appuie également sur des simulations numériques afin d’évaluer les prédictions d’un solveur d’écoulement couplé à deux schémas cinétiques à travers la comparaison des spectres mesurés avec les spectres simulés par le code radiatif Specair. Pour atteindre ces objectifs, un banc optique a été conçu et mis en place pour mesurer l’intensité du rayonnement VUV produit autour d’une maquette bidimensionnelle émoussée, avec une résolution spatiale suffisante pour résoudre le profil d’émission dans la couche de choc. La résolution spatiale a été choisie de façon à pouvoir effectuer des mesures du rayonnement dans les zones d’équilibre et hors équilibre de la couche de choc. Un deuxième système a été conçu pour obtenir des mesures du rayonnement VUV incident sur la surface de la maquette. Ce système est constitué d’un hublot placé sur la surface de la maquette et d’un miroir logé à l’intérieur de la maquette pour transmettre le rayonnement vers le système de détection. La profondeur du champ radiatif peut être variée en modifiant la longueur de la maquette, ce qui change l’épaisseur de la couche de choc observée. Le tunnel à détente X2 a été utilisé pour créer les écoulements à haute enthalpie nécessaires pour produire les couches de choc émissives. Deux conditions d’écoulement ont été générées pour cette étude de façon à reproduire des vitesses équivalentes de vol de 10 et 12.2 km/s. Le système spectroscopique utilisé pour ces études comprend un spectromètre McPherson NOVA 225 sous vide couplé à une caméra ICCD Andor iStar de réponse renforcée dans le VUV. Un tube optique scellé par une fenêtre en fluorine a été installé pour prolonger le trajet optique sous vide jusqu’à la maquette de façon à éliminer l’absorption par l’oxygène moléculaire. Le système spectroscopique a été calibré in situ avec une lampe à deutérium placée à l’endroit de la couche de choc rayonnante. L’intensité spectrale incidente sur la surface de la maquette, intégrée entre 115 et 180 nm, est de 0,744 W/cm²sr pour une vitesse d’écoulement de 10 km/s et 12,3 W/cm²sr à 12.2 km/s. [...] / A major design challenge for re-entry capsules lies in the modelling of convective and radiative heat transfer to the surface of the vehicle. At certain points on superorbital re-entry trajectories, up to 40% of the total radiative heat flux is contributed by the vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) spectral range and it is in this spectral range that the largest uncertainties lie. The high level of uncertainty in the VUV is a result of a lack of published experimental data due to difficulties encountered in measuring radiation in the VUV, such as strong absorption by most optical materials and air. Additional complexities of the VUV spectral range include its strongly self-absorbing nature and spectral line broadening. The primary goal of this study was to obtain calibrated spectral measurements in the VUV that enable the investigation of physical processes occurring in the shock layer that influence the incident radiative heat flux. In particular, the issues to be investigated were the variation in spectral radiance observed across a shock layer compared to the spectral radiance measured through the surface, the effects of self-absorption on spectral line intensity and the broadening of spectral lines in the VUV as a function of depth of radiating flow field. The measurements made across and through the surface of a model provide the first set of calibrated experimental results for the validation of computational codes used to predict incident radiative heat flux. Measurements made with a varying depth of radiating flow field provide a unique set of experimental data for the validation of radiation transport models and broadening coefficients. This study also used computational simulations to investigate the accuracy of a flow field solver coupled with two reaction rate schemes and compared the spectra produced using Specair with experimentally measured values. To achieve these goals, an optical system was designed to measure the VUV radiative emission produced around a blunt two-dimensional model in a spatially resolved manner across the shock layer. Spatial resolution allowed for spectral measurements to be made in both the equilibrium and non-equilibrium parts of the shock layer. A second optical system was designed to obtain measurements of VUV radiation incident on the surface of the model. This system incorporated a window in the surface with a mirror housed within the model to deflect the radiation out of the test section and into the detection system. To effectively vary the depth of the radiating flow field, the length of a two-dimensional model was varied, changing the depth of the shock layer being observed. The X2 expansion tube was used to create the high enthalpy flows required to produce radiating shock layers. Two flow conditions were created for this study that represented flight equivalent velocities of 10.0 km/s and 12.2 km/s. The spectroscopy system utilized for this study consisted of an evacuated McPherson NOVA 225 spectrometer coupled to an Andor iStar VUV enhanced intensified charge coupled device. An evacuated light tube sealed with a magnesium fluoride window was required to extend the evacuated light path to the model and avoid any absorption by molecular oxygen. An in-situ calibration of the VUV spectroscopy system was conducted using a deuterium lamp located in the position of the radiating shock layer. The integrated incident spectral radiance measured through the surface of the model between 115 nm and 180 nm was 0.744 W/cm2 sr for the 10.0 km/s condition and 12.3 W/cm2sr for the faster 12.2km/s condition. [...]

A vehicle flying at hypersonic speeds, i.e. at speeds greater than Mach 4, needs to be able to withstand the heat arising from friction and shock waves, which can reach temperatures of up to 3000oC. The current project focuses on producing thermal protection systems based on ultra high temperature ceramic (UHTC) impregnated carbon-carbon composites. The carbon fibres offer low mass and excellent resistance to thermal shock; their vulnerability is to oxidation above 500oC. The aim of introducing HfB2, a UHTC, as a coating on the fibre tows or as particulate reinforcement into the carbon fibre preform, was to improve this property. The objectives of this project were to: i) identify a low temperature synthesis route for group IV diborides, ii) produce a powder fine enough to reduce the difficulties associated with sintering the refractory diborides, iii) develop sol-gel coating of HfB2 onto carbon fibre tows iv) improve the solid loading of the particulate reinforcement into the carbon fibre preform, which should, in turn, increase the oxidation protection. In order to achieve the above set objectives, fine HfB2 powder was synthesized through a low temperature sol gel and boro/carbothermal reduction process, using a range of different carbon sources. Study of the formation mechanism of HfB2 revealed an intermediate boron sub-oxide and/or active boron formation that yielded HfB2 formation at 1300oC. At higher temperatures the formation of HfB2 could be via intermediate HfC formation and/or B4C formation. Growth mechanism analysis showed that the nucleated particles possessed screw dislocations which indicated that the formation of HfB2 was not only through a substitution reaction, but there could have been an element of a precipitation nucleation mechanism that lead to anisotropic growth under certain conditions. The effect of carbon sources during the boro/carbothermal reduction reaction on the size of the final HfB2 powders was analysed and it was found that a direct relation existed between the size and level of agglomeration of the carbon sources and the resulting HfB2 powders. A powder phenolic resin source led to the finest powder, with particle sizes in the range 30 to 150 nm. SPS sintering of the powder revealed that 99% theoretical density could be achieved without the need for sintering aids at 2200oC. Sol-gel coatings and slurry impregnation of HfB2 on carbon fibres tows was performed using dip coating and a 'squeeze-tube' method respectively. Crack free coatings and non-porous matrix infiltration were successfully achieved. The solid loading of the fine HfB2 into the carbon fibre preform was carried out through impregnation of a HfB2 / phenolic resin/acetone slurry using vacuum impregnation. Although the sub-micron Loughborough (LU) powders were expected to improve the solid loading, compared to the commercially available micron sized powders, due to the slurry made from them having a higher viscosity because of the fine particle size, the solids loading achieved was consequently decreased. Optimisation of the rheology of the slurry with LU HfB2 still requires more work. A comparison of the oxidation and ablation resistance of the Cf-HfB2 composites prepared with both commercial micron sized HfB2 powder and Loughborough sub-micron sized HfB2 powder, each with similar level of solid loading, was carried out using oxyacetylene torch testing. It was found that the composite containing the finer, Loughborough powders suffered a larger erosion volume than the composite with the coarser commercial powders indicating that the former offered worse ablation and oxidation resistance than the latter. A full investigation of the effect of solids loading and particle size, including the option of using mixtures of fine and coarse powders, is still required.

The objective of this master thesis was to investigate an ablative liner for the T-Minus DART booster that will accelerate a dart to Mach 5.2 within five seconds. An oxyacetylene torch test was used to sort out the obviously bad materials. Glass fiber/epoxy, with and without alumina as fire retardant, and carbon fiber/epoxy were selected for further investigation. A sub-scale motor was built to expose the materials for conditions similar to the booster conditions in regard to temperature, chemistry, flow velocity and pressure. The target pressure could not be reached in the sub-scale motor but a polynomial function was fitted to the data in order to extrapolate the data and estimate the ablation rate at 7 MPa. The final design is always based on measurements on full scale motors. This could not be done within this report. Recommendation for future work is to use an insulator of 1.8 mm of carbon fiber/epoxy or 1.3 mm of glass fiber/epoxy/alumina for the sub-scale firings to come.

<p>In this work a flow stabilized corona torch plasma was used for periodic domain inversion of MgO-doped lithium niobate with 19 .1 μm periodic gratings. The effective non-linear coefficient (derr) achieved through corona discharge poling was 17.5 pm/V, which agrees well with theoretical value of 16~19 pm/V. By analysing the second harmonic generation (SHG) tuning curves, the grating uniformity over the 10 mm grating was investigated. The 0.6 run bandwidth of the SHG tuning at full width half maximum (FWHM) corresponded exactly to the theoretical value. The agreement between experimental data and theoretical results imply that the obtained periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) has high quality. By controlling temperature in the range of 20 °C to 120 °C tunability of SHG wavelength was demonstrated between 782 run and 788 run.</p> <p>Discharge characteristics of the corona were studied using a floating potential double probe and optical emission spectroscopy. Using the double probe the distribution of ion density downstream of the corona torch was observed. The maximum ion density of 2 x 1018 (ions/cm3) was achieved 2 mm below the discharge electrode. Measurement of the optical emission spectrum was used to determine the vibrational ion temperature to be 3953 K. The observed spectrum consisted entirely of the second positive band of nitrogen.</p> <p>The applied voltage range of 9 kV to 10 kV was observed to be optimum for domain growth in periodic poling. Poling uniformity of the 12 mm grating was optimized for an electrode to crystal spacing of 13 mm. Increasing the crystal temperature during poling reduces the required coercive field for domain inversion. This reduces the required applied voltage and also reduces the required poling time by increasing the domain-switching rate. Proton exchange pretreatment of the (+z) crystal surface prior to poling has been demonstrated to control domain spreading, however future efforts are required to ensure a more reliable nucleation condition. Both high vacuum and spin coated photoresist function to increase electrical discrimination of anode grating and provide an improved nucleation condition for periodic poling of MgO-doped lithium niobate. Poling uniformity of the 12 mm grating was optimised for an electrode to crystal spacing of 13mm.</p> / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is now a well established analytical technique used to sample solid materials and determine their elemental composition. Two areas that are becoming increasingly important, and for which LA-ICP-MS is a key tool, are bio-imaging and the analysis of micro-particulates. However, current instrumental designs limit the practicality of the technique for these applications. This study investigates the development of a high speed, high efficiency LA-ICP-MS interface through modelling of the flow dynamics of a newly designed laser ablation cell and experimental investigation of single laser pulse response. Through this work the Sniffer-Dual Concentric Injector interface was realised. This interface reduced particle residence times within the laser cell and transport tubing. The interface was also used to investigate turbulence related aerosol dispersion within the ICP and potential designs to overcome this. The resulting design yields an interface with improved sensitivity and reduced aerosol dispersion such that a lower limit of detection is achieved, important when considering the mass of analyte in a single cell or micro-particulate, compared to existing designs. Thus the interface can be used to improve image spatial resolution as the ablation spot size, and thus pixel information, can be reduced; and also reduces total analysis time. The calibration technique Laser Ablation of a Sample In Liquid (LASIL) was also investigated as a means of calibration for solid samples. The investigation lead to the development of LASIL in a droplet, a technique that can be used to calibrate solid samples when a matrix matched standard is unavailable. The mechanism of the technique resulted in an improved laser-energy sample coupling efficiency and a reduction in the liquid to ablated mass ratio, thus decreasing sampling time. As the technique captures the ablated particulate in solution, post chemistry techniques can be used to remove analyte interferences.

Mittels thermischer Plasmen werden Hartstoffschichten auf der Basis von Silicium - SiC, Si3N4 sowie ternäre Si-C-N Verbindungen, aus flüssigen Single Precursoren synthetisiert. Durch die hohen Abscheideraten von bis zu 1.500 µm/h wird das hohe Potenzial der Beschichtungswerkstoffe für den Schutz von Bauteilen, die starken Verschleiß- und Korrosionsbeanspruchungen insbesondere bei hohen Temperaturen ausgesetzt sind, bei wirtschaftlich interessanten Prozesszeiten nutzbar. Der Einfluss der Precursorstruktur und der Prozessführung auf die Mikrostruktur der Schichten sowie die Abscheiderate wird systematisch erarbeitet. Zur Schichtcharakterisierung kommen Lichtmikroskopie, REM, EDX, XRD und im Fall röntgenamorpher Schichten FTIR zum Einsatz. Das Verwenden unterschiedlicher thermischer Plasmen erlaubt das Einstellen eines weiten Prozessfeldes. Mit Hilfe von Enthalpiesonden Messungen werden die Einflüsse der Maschinenparameter auf den Prozesszustand untersucht. Die Ergebnisse sind in einer Prozess - Gefügekarte zusammengefasst. Da das Gefüge der Schichten die Eigenschaften im Einsatz bedingt, bieten diese Arbeiten die Grundlage für das reproduzierbare Herstellen von Schichten mit angepassten Eigenschaften. Über die emissionsspektroskopischen Analysen zu den plasmachemischen Reaktionen gelingt es, die Schichtabscheidemechanismen in Abhängigkeit von den Prozessparametern zu klären und einen Ansatz für eine online Prozesskontrolle zu erarbeiten.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur förskolebarn i en ålder av tre till fem år utforskar hur enkel teknik fungerar och hur pedagogerna kan hjälpa barnen med detta. En ökad kunskap om barns lärande inom ämnet teknik kan vara till nytta för den vardagliga verksamheten. För att få insikt i barnens utforskande användes ostrukturerade kvalitativa observationer som metod. Även användes kvalitativa semi-strukturerade intervjuer för att få kännedom om hur pedagogerna ser på teknik och hur de anser att barn upptäcker teknik. Resultatet visar att barnens utforskande påverkas hur pedagogerna ställer frågor. Dessutom visar observationerna att barn lär sig genom  att göra och att de utforskar med hela sin kropp. Det kan även konkluderas att pedagogerna känner sig okunniga inom ämnet. / The purpose of this study is to examine how preschool children at the age of three to five years explore how simple technology works and how teachers can help them with this. A better understanding of children's learning in the subject can be beneficial for daily activities. To gain insight into children's exploratorations, unstructured qualitative observation method was used. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were also used to ascertain how teachers look at technology and how they think children discover technology. The results show that children's exploration is influenced by the way the teachers ask their questions. Moreover, the observations show that children learn by doing, and that they explore with their entire body. It can even be concluded that the teachers feel ignorant on this subject.

La mise en œuvre de missions spatiales demande à développer de nombreuses technologies clés afin de surmonter certaines étapes cruciales. L’une d’entre elle concerne la rentrée atmosphérique : lorsque le véhicule pénètre dans la couche d’atmosphère, sa vitesse relative très grande par rapport au sol va engendrer des frottements importants ainsi qu’une augmentation de pression. L’énergie cinétique de l’objet va donc être transformée en énergie thermique et chauffer le gaz en formant une onde de choc. Les températures dépendent de la vitesse initiale, de la composition de l’atmosphère et de sa pression. Le gaz ainsi chauffé va s’ioniser et devenir un plasma, il va donc transférer sa chaleur au corps de la sonde non seulement par convection mais aussi par rayonnement. Afin de se protéger, le véhicule dispose d’un bouclier thermique pouvant résister aux phénomènes extrêmes rencontrés lors de la descente. Les contraintes supplémentaires vont imposer une géométrie particulière et un lourd bouclier. Ainsi l’objectif est d’avoir les protections les plus légères et efficaces possibles afin de permettre à la sonde de maximiser son emport en équipement scientifique. Pour cela, un des paramètres clés est de connaître le comportement et le rayonnement du plasma produit lors de la rentrée dans l’atmosphère. Cette thèse se positionne dans ce domaine d’étude: les expériences montées et réalisées ont pour objectif d’observer par moyens spectroscopiques un plasma correspondant à celui rencontré par les sondes spatiales. / Many key technologies, to overcome some crucial steps, are needed for space missions. One of them concerns the re-entry: when the vehicle enters the atmosphere layer, its high velocity relative to the ground will generate significant friction and an increase in pressure. The kinetic energy of the object will be converted into heat energy and heat the gas forming a shock wave. Temperatures depend on the initial velocity, the atmosphere composition and its pressure. The gas is ionized and become plasma, it will therefore transfer its heat to the body of the probe not only by convection but also by radiation. To protect itself, the vehicle has a heat shield that can withstand extreme phenomena encountered during the descent. Additional constraints will impose a particular geometry and a heavy shield. So the goal is to have the lightest possible and effective protections to allow the probe to maximize its payload. For this, one of the key parameters is to know the behavior of the plasma and radiation produced during re-entry into the atmosphere. This thesis is positioned in this area of ​​study: experiments to create a re-entry plasma are intended to be observed by a spectrometer.