Generation of Weak Shock Waves in a Shock Tube

Abstract

SummaryThe properties of weak shock waves in a vibrationally relaxing gas are discussed with particular application to waves in carbon dioxide. An account of various methods of generating weak shock waves in a shock tube is given. The best method requires the insertion of a perforated plate in the low pressure section of the shock tube. A suitable choice for the open-to-total area ratio of the plate leads to transmitted waves in the appropriate strength regime. These waves were observed using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and were either fully or partly dispersed by vibrational relaxation. Values for the relaxation frequency of carbon dioxide at room temperature were obtained.