Electron density and ionization rate in thermally ionized gases produced by medium strength shock waves

Abstract

A method, based on the measurement of attenuation of microwaves, which allows the electron density and the ionization rate of shock-heated gases to be obtained, is described. Results obtained for air in the shock Mach range 8·2-10·4, and for nitrogen containing 0·25% oxygen in the range 7·4-8·8, show that the electron density is in agreement with theoretical calculations based on thermodynamic equilibrium. Ionization time measurements in air are presented in this range and these results extend the measurements of Niblett & Blackman (1958) to a lower Mach range.

Rate and mechanism of the thermal ionization of xenon

“…At the other extreme of very high electron densities, the absorption of microwaves approaches log (I,/I)cc [ee-]3z. (10) At intermediate values of electron densities, the absorption coefficient p is given by t hPy complicated relations (2)- (7). When , 8 is independent of electron density, it is called the absorption constant Po, and then the absorption of microwaves by free electrons follows " Beer's law ",…”

“…-D I E L E m C CONSTANT E AS A FUNCTION OF ELECTRON NUMBER DENSITY [e-]AND X I (CALC. FROM EQN (7). WITH o = 1.83 x 1010 sec-1…”