Production and Investigation of Very Strong Ionizing Shock Waves,
Abstract
The design and construction of a high energy shock tube is described, and experiments with transverse ionizing shock waves are reported. Shock speeds up to one percent of the speed of light are measured, and separation of shock and driver current is observed. Compressions of mass and magnetic field are measured and shown to agree with the predictions of the theory of ionizing shocks. The electron temperature in the post-shock plasma is found to be about 1 keV. Neutron emission was detected from shocks in dueterium. The polarity of the axial electric field is opposite to the direction of shock propagation. It is shown theoretically that this will cause an outward radial plasma drift. The measured electric field has a significant effect on the electron-ion energy relations. The suggested conduction mechanism is a combination of Hall effect and ion displacement current. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0720838
Entities
People
- Einar Halmoy
Organizations
- Columbia University