PLASMA DENSITY AHEAD OF PRESSURE DRIVEN SHOCK WAVES.
Abstract
A review of the literature on electrical precursors associated with strong shock waves is presented. Negative well-type electrostatic precursor signals are obtained from the potential probe experiments. Potential probe experiments in conjunction with a solenoidal magnetic field show that the electrostatic precursor signal is due in part to radial diffusion of electrons to the wall of the shock tube. A theory is presented for the diffusion of the electrons and ions to the grid of the probe and for the motion of the charged particles inside the probe. This theory relates the collected currents to the plasma density in the shock tube. The evidence of the existence of a neutral plasma and the high velocity of propagation of the precursor strongly suggests that the gas ahead of the shock wave is photoionized. It was established that multiple step photoionization produces the plasma.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0622569
Entities
People
- Lawrence Bruce Holmes
Organizations
- University of Rochester