Theoretical Prediction of Radiant Power Spectra of Magnesium-Sodium Nitrate Illuminating Flare Flames,
Abstract
Relative radiant power spectra are presented of flames from three different pyrotechnic flare formulas burning at ambient pressures of 760, 630, 300, 225, 150, 75, 30 and 6 torr. The sodium concentration in the flare formulas varies by a factor of 10 between each formula. The experimental spectra of these illuminating flare flames show the magnitude of sodium D line broadening as a function of ambient pressure and sodium atom density in the flame. A set of theoretical spectra, computed using radiative transfer theory and assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium, are presented for comparison with the experimental spectra. The good correlation between theoretical and experimental spectra shows that an LTE radiative transfer model is useful for prediction of radiant power spectra of magnesium-alkali nitrate flares. The correlation also suggests that pyrotechnic flames may be useful to astrophysicists for experimental evaluation of radiative transfer theory developed for study of solar and stellar atmospheres. Parameters of the radiative transfer theory that were supplied from properties of the flare are given. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 18, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0763665
Entities
People
- Bernard E. Douda