Measurement of the two-dimensional structure of the flow in a coaxial shock tube

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.864479· OSTI ID:5385282

Howard, J; James, B W; Law, A R

An optical (633 nm) Michelson interferometer in which the length of the reference arm is varied by means of a pair of rotating mirrors, has been used to measure the phase shift produced in the probing beam during the propagation of transverse magnetohydrodynamic and ionizing shock waves in a coaxial electromagnetic shock tube. The measurements, which achieve a phase resolution of about 0.1 rad with a time resolution of 70 nsec, have been obtained at three chordal positions and are inverted by Abel transform to give a coarse picture of the two-dimensional electron density distribution in the tube. This distribution shows marked radial nonuniformity, indicating that 2-D effects are of considerable importance in determining the dynamics and structure of the transverse shock waves produced in a coaxial geometry.

• Research Organization: Wills Plasma Physics Department, School of Physics, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
• OSTI ID: 5385282
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 27:1; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700102* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Diagnostics
CYLINDERS
ELECTRON DENSITY
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
INTERFEROMETERS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MECHANICS
MICHELSON INTERFEROMETER
MIRRORS
PHASE SHIFT
PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA DRIFT
SHOCK TUBES
SHOCK WAVES