The Initial Behavior of High Altitude Barium Releases. 1. The Particulate Ring
Abstract
The use of high altitude releases of barium vapor for the production of visible plasma clouds has been described by FOPPL et al. (1965, 1967). There is considerable interest in maximizing the yield of ions per g of chemical carried, whether this be for use as a tracer for the extraterrestrial magnetic field, or for the production of dense clouds of ionization in the Earth's atmosphere. There are several possible methods of determining release efficiencies and vaporization processes from ground observations of high altitude releases. With suitable precautions and qualifications the total ion inventory made known by the scattered radiance can lead to an estimate of total vapor yield. Observations of the radial expansion of the vapor cloud can yield information through use of the snowplow model of STUART (1965). This note will consider the possibility that additional data concerning the release process can be determined from radiometric measurements of the particulate ring. Photographic data obtained during the vent phase or releases larger than 40 kg has shown that the non-vaporized component of the ejected material is also detectable, as a radially expanding ring which continues along the ballistic trajectory of the carrier rocket. In this note we discuss observations of a series of large releases conducted at Eglin AFB, Florida in January 1971.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 15, 1973
- Accession Number
- ADA000978
Entities
People
- G. T. Best
- H. S. Hoffman
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories