THE PROPAGATION AND STRUCTURE OF IONIZATION WAVE FRONTS.
Abstract
The propagation and structure of an ionization wave are investigated. In the analysis the ionization wave is treated much like an ordinary laminar flame front. However, due to the endothermic nature of the reaction an external energy source is postulated to ensure a steady state solution. That source is taken to be the Joule heating which arises from an applied transverse electric field. Low levels of ionization are considered and collisional processes are assumed for the ionization and recombination reactions. A solution is obtained only in the ambi-polar diffusion regime. In the absence of a magnetic field the solution shows that the wave speed is of the order of the electron sound speed times the square root of the ratio of the electron collision time to the reaction time. A well defined wave structure is also found whose width is of the order of the ionization length. When a magnetic field is present a dynamic analysis of the problem (i.e., without regard to the energy effects) which considers magnetic induction leads to a solution which is a degenerate case of the ionizing shock problem. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0693642
Entities
People
- D. L. Turcotte
- R. S. Ong
- R. W. Munt
Organizations
- University of Michigan