Shockwave Interactions with Argon Glow Discharges
Abstract
The purpose of this research was study shock wave interactions with argon glow discharges. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer whether it is possible to compress nonequilibrium electrons at the shock wave. The results in the thesis found that both equilibrium and nonequilibrium electrons could be compressed at the shock front. The double layer at the shock front, normalized by electron temperature, matched the calculated values for the double layer within a factor or two in all cases. The results also demonstrate that excited metastable states can be compressed at the shock front, as well. The culmination of this effort was to show that electrons can be compressed and that the double layer is orientated such that electrons do not gain energy from the shock front. This was done in order to help explain results by previous researchers in the area of plasma-shock wave interactions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA450113
Entities
People
- Nicholas S. Siefert
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology