Is a Plasma Shield Possible for Military Vehicles?

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    Plasma Shield
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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the feasibility of creating a plasma shield for military vehicles using radio frequency (RF) to generate plasma, and the potential role of magnetic fields in maintaining the plasma for shielding purposes. The conversation touches on theoretical aspects, practical challenges, and the types of threats such a shield might address.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes the idea of using RF from microwaves to create plasma and questions the possibility of using magnets to maintain a plasma shield.
  • Another participant agrees that the concept is theoretically possible but notes the significant energy costs involved.
  • A different participant clarifies that while RF can ionize gas under certain conditions, it typically requires a strong electric field to achieve ionization at RF frequencies.
  • One participant questions the effectiveness of a plasma shield against solid projectiles, suggesting that while it may shield against radio waves, it would not protect against bullets or rockets.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of a plasma shield against various types of threats, with some agreeing on the theoretical possibility of creating such a shield while others challenge its practical application against solid projectiles.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the capabilities of RF to generate plasma and the conditions necessary for effective shielding, which remain unresolved. There is also a lack of consensus on the types of threats that a plasma shield could effectively mitigate.

Kalrag
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Is it possible to make a plasma shield by using Radio Frequency from a microwave and making plasma. I know that part is possible, here's the tricky part. Having magnets with the right ratio of pull and push so the plasma can "shield" an object. So, is it possible?
 
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Yes, the general idea is theoretically possible. It would be hard and extremely energy-costly.

How does one use RF to make a plasma? Radio isn't ionizing radiation.
 
EM radiation is ionizing at sufficient energies. At extremely high frequencies, e.g. gamma or x-ray, a single photon is ionizing. At RF frequencies, you need sufficient electric field to cause ionization, but you can still have ionizing microwaves, for example. It's been done.
 
Kalrag said:
Is it possible to make a plasma shield by using Radio Frequency from a microwave and making plasma. I know that part is possible, here's the tricky part. Having magnets with the right ratio of pull and push so the plasma can "shield" an object. So, is it possible?

What do you want to shield against?
 
It would hopefully be made as a sheild for tanks and vehicles that would have to take bullets and rockets.
 
Kalrag said:
It would hopefully be made as a sheild for tanks and vehicles that would have to take bullets and rockets.

That's what I thought. An ionized gas isn't going to shield against solid projectiles. It will shield against radio waves pretty well (like the radio "blackout" period for the Space Shuttle returning into our atmosphere), but that's no help against solid military weapons.
 

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