Mach wave radiation is one of the better understood sources of jet noise. However, the exact conditions of its onset are difficult to determine and the literature to date typically explores Mach wave radiation well above its onset conditions. In order to determine the conditions for the onset of Mach wave radiation and to explore its behaviour during onset and beyond, three ideally expanded jets with Mach numbers Mj = 0.9, 1.3 and 1.65 and stagnation temperature ratios ranging over To/T∞ = 1.0–2.5 (acoustic Mach number 0.83–2.10) were used. Data are collected using a far-field microphone array, schlieren imaging and streamwise two-component particle image velocimetry. Using arc filament plasma actuators to force the jet provides an unprecedented tool for detailed examination of Mach wave radiation. The response of the jet to various forcing parameters (combinations of one azimuthal mode m = 0, 1 and 3 and one Strouhal number StDF = 0.09–3.0) is explored. Phase-averaged schlieren images clearly show the onset and evolution of Mach wave radiation in response to both changes in the jet operating conditions and forcing parameters. It is observed that Mach wave radiation is initiated as a coalescing of the near-field hydrodynamic pressure fluctuations in the immediate vicinity of the large-scale structures. As the jet exit velocity increases, the hydrodynamic pressure fluctuations coalesce, first into a curved wavefront, then flatten into the conical wavefronts commonly associated with Mach wave radiation. The results show that the largest and most coherent structures (e.g. forcing with m = 0 and StDF ~ 0.3) produce the strongest Mach wave radiation. Conversely, Mach wave radiation is weakest when the structures are the least coherent (e.g. forcing with m = 3 and StDF > 1.5).
