Interferometric Measurements on SECEDE I Barium Releases
Abstract
The purpose of this research project was to evaluate an optical technique for the determination of ion densities in a high altitude chemical release of barium. The method involved the detection of the isotopically shifted hyperfine lines of barium ions whose emission was less likely to be optically thick due to their minor abundance and lower relative transition probability. Simultaneous detection of a neutral and an ion emission line could also be accomplished with this instrument to provide data regarding the ionization conversion process at early times. Data were obtained for the releases Apple and Dogwood. Hyperfine emission features were observed for the barium ion line at 4934 A from which upper excitation level populations were derived. Calculations were made to determine the ratio between total ion population and that of the upper energy level giving rise to the 4934 A line. Measured intensities are presented as barium ion column densities and as volume densities by consideration of the photographically derived cloud dimensions. A measure of the neutral/ion ratio was also determined for two points at early times.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0845761
Entities
People
- Robert D. Sears
- Robert W. Deuel
Organizations
- IIT Research Institute