IONIZING SHOCK STRUCTURE IN A MONATOMIC GAS.

Abstract

The structure of an ionizing shock front in a monatomic gas is described. Both atom-atom and electron-atom collisional ionization are considered. The ionization rates for either of these processes is assumed to be controlled by the rate of excitation from the ground state to the first excited level. In the initial part of the shock, called the atom-atom shock, atom collisional dissipative mechanisms (viscosity and thermal conductivity) determine the shock structure. A bimodal Mott-Smith velocity distribution function is assumed for the atoms in this region, which has a thickness of the order of the atom-atom viscosity mean free path. In the final part of the shock front, called the relaxation zone, the collisional ionization processes determine the structure. For this region, which has a thickness proportional to the electron-atom ionization mean free path, Maxwellian velocity distributions are assumed for the electrons, ions, and atoms. It was found that for Mach Numbers of 30 or more the atom-atom shock is of comparable thickness to the relaxation zone. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1967
Accession Number
AD0663211

Entities

People

  • Donald L. Chubb

Organizations

  • Columbia University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atoms
  • Conductivity
  • Distribution Functions
  • Electrons
  • Excitation
  • Ground State
  • Ionization
  • Mach Number
  • Mean Free Path
  • Motion
  • Physical Properties
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • Thickness
  • Viscosity

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Quantum Chemistry

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics