Preliminary study of the rate and degree of thermal ionization of argon behind shock waves

• Main Author: Wong, Howard
• Format: Others
• Published: 1961
• Online Access: https://thesis.library.caltech.edu/5117/1/Wong_h_1961.pdf; Wong, Howard (1961) Preliminary study of the rate and degree of thermal ionization of argon behind shock waves. Engineer's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/SDGQ-VZ93. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-12222005-102142 <https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-12222005-102142>

NOTE: Text or symbols not renderable in plain ASCII are indicated by [...]. Abstract is included in .pdf document. A microwave system (K-band, 24KMC) was designed and assembled to study the degree of ionization in argon as a function of time or distance behind shock waves in a shock tube. The relaxation time for ionization and the attenuation and reflection of the microwave at equilibrium were measured for Mach numbers from 6.19 to 7.74 at [...] of 5mm and 10mm Hg to determine the influence of temperature, density, collision cross-section and impurities. These measurements were complemented with theoretical calculation of microwave absorption and electron density at equilibrium for a Mach number range of 6 to 8 with initial pressures [...] of 1 mm to 10mm Hg. (Sections II, III, IV)