Interferometrische Messung der thermischen Zustandsgrößen von Edelgasstoßwellenplasmen1 / Interferometric Measurement of Thermodynamic Variables of Rare Gas Plasmas Produced by Shock Waves

Abstract

The variation of electron density and neutral atom density behind incident shock waves in argon, krypton, and xenon are measured using a two wavelength laser interferometer with photoelectric detection of fringe shifts. The accuracy of the measured area densities ∫ Ne dl and ∫ Na dl is better than 1 per cent. Densities measured at the moment of maximum electron density agree well with Rankine-Hugoniot densities. There are no indications to deviations from LTE. Additionally, in the radiation cooling region the decrease of temperature is determined.