Laboratory Study of High-beta Plasma Shock Waves.
Abstract
A plasma wind tunnel has been used to generate shock waves at rest in the laboratory reference frame. The upstream pressure ratio beta is in the range 1 to 3, and the Mach number based on the fast magnetosonic wave speed is 3 to 5. The shock wave is formed by letting the plasma wind impinge on the field of a magnetic obstacle. The resulting shock is primarily transverse, and exhibits a thickness of 1 to 1 1/2 times the ion inertial length (c/omega sub pi). The shock thickness decreases with increasing Mach number, and increases as the ion mass is increased. Magnetic fluctuations in the shock front are observed, with frequencies near the ion gyral frequency. Comparisons of these results with those of other experiments, and with the earth's bow shock, are made. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0717397
Entities
People
- David L. Morse
- William W. Destler
Organizations
- Cornell University