Electron Density Measurements at High Pressures
Abstract
Measurements of the electron density in the flow produced by high velocity shock waves in air at initial pressures of 5 torr and 10 torr have been performed in an electromagnetic shock tube. The current collected by flush-mounted probes mounted in the wall of a rectangular cross section shock tube were used to deduce the electron density. Measurements were performed where the probes were biased to collect either ion current or electron current, and a simple theory was used to describe the probe characteristics. The flow conditions surrounding the probe were computed with engineering approximations of the wall boundary layer. A comparison of the measured results and the predicted values agree within a factor of two. Additional measurements of the current collected by a stagnation point electrostatic probe were also performed. Using simple theories, the measured electron density agrees with theoretical predictions within a factor of three.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0766654
Entities
People
- William H. Rudderow
Organizations
- Vought