Theory of radiative shocks in the mixed, optically thick-thin case

Journal Article · Wed Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3466852· OSTI ID:21432294

McClarren, Ryan G; Morel, J E ^[1]; Drake, R Paul ^[2]; Holloway, James Paul ^[3]

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1. Department of Nuclear Engineering, Texas A and M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3133 (United States)
2. Space Physics Research Laboratory, Atmospheric Oceanic and Space Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 (United States)
3. Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 (United States)

A theory of radiating shocks that are optically thick in the downstream (postshock) state and optically thin in the upstream (preshock) state, which are called thick-thin shocks, is presented. Relations for the final temperature and compression, as well as the postshock temperature and compression as a function of the shock strength and initial pressure, are derived. The model assumes that there is no radiation returning to the shock from the upstream state. Also, it is found that the maximum compression in the shock scales as the shock strength to the 1/4 power. Shock profiles for the material downstream of the shock are computed by solving the fluid and radiation equations exactly in the limit of no radiation returning to the shock. These profiles confirm the validity and usefulness of the model in that limit.

• OSTI ID: 21432294
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 17; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COMPRESSION
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ION TEMPERATURE
PLASMA
SHOCK WAVES