R. J. Sandeman

Transition to Mach reflexion of shock waves in steady and pseudosteady flow with and without relaxation

Experiments were conducted in the free-piston shock tube and shock tunnel with dissociating nitrogen and carbon dioxide, ionizing argon and frozen argon to measure the transition condition in pseudosteady and steady flow. The transition condition in the steady flow, in which the wall was eliminated by symmetry, agrees with the calculated von Neumann condition. In the real gases this calculation assumed thermo-dynamic equilibrium after the reflected shock. In the pseudosteady flow of reflexion from a wedge the measured transition angle lies on the Mach-reflexion side of the calculated detachment condition by an amount which may be explained in terms of the displacement effect of the boundary layer on the wedge surface. A single criterion based on the availability of a length scale at the reflexion point explains the difference between the pseudosteady and steady flow transition condition and predicts a hysteresis effect in the transition angle when the shock angle is varied during steady flow. No significant effects on the transition condition due to finite relaxation length could be detected. However, new experiments in which interesting relaxation effects should be evident are suggested.

Absolute intensity measurements of impurity emissions in a shock tunnel and their consequences for laser-induced fluorescence experiments

Absolute intensity measurements of impurity emissions in a shock tunnel nozzle flow are presented. The impurity emission intensities were measured with a photomultiplier and optical multichannel analyser and calibrated against an intensity standard. The various metallic contaminants were identified and their intensities measured in the spectral regions 290 to 330 nm and 375 to 385 nm. A comparison with calculated fluorescence intensities for predissociated laser-induced fluorescence signals is made. It is found that the emission background is negligible for most fluorescence experiments.

The application of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering to temperature measurements in a pulsed high enthalpy supersonic flow

Broadband single pulse coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) experiments employing a folded box phase matching geometry in a shock tunnel flow are presented. Rovibrational spectra of molecular nitrogen, produced at the exit of a pulsed supersonic nozzle for a range of flow enthalpies, are examined. Difficulties peculiar to the application of the optical technique to a high enthalpy pulsed flow facility are discussed and measurements of flow temperatures are presented. Theoretically calculated values for temperatures based upon algorithms used to determine shock tunnel flow conditions agree well with experimental measurements using the CARS technique.

Relaxation Behind Shock-Waves in Ionizing Neon

Experiments in ionizing neon are described in which heavy-particle and electron densities are measured and compared with the current kinetic model. The experimental results allow a determination of the atom-atom collisional excitation cross-section constant, giving a value of (8 +/- 2) x 10(-20) cm2/cV for the range of conditions examined. The population of two of the excited-state levels of the atom are measured and compared with theoretical predictions. The experimental populations are found to follow the expected behaviour in the quasi-equilibrium region, but are several orders of magnitude higher than predicted in the non-equilibrium zone. These findings suggest that the depopulation of excited states through ionizing collisions occurs more slowly than expected. Absorption linewidths and line shifts are also measured in the quasi-equilibrium region and found to compare well with theory. A small precursor population is also observed and population measurements in this region are compared with other experimental results in argon and krypton.

Vibrational Temperature Measurements in a Shock Layer Using Laser Induced Predissociation Fluorescence

Single shot spatially and spectrally resolved laser induced predissociation fluorescence measurements in a shock layer around a cylinder in a pulsed supersonic free stream are presented. Fluoresence signals were produced using the tuned output of an argon fluoride excimer laser to excite a mixture of rovibrational transitions in molecular oxygen. The signals produced along a line inside the shock layer were focussed onto a two dimensional detector coupled to a spectrometer, thus allowing spectral and spatial resolution of the fluoresence. In this way, it was possible to detect two fluoresence signals from two different transitions simultaneously, allowing the determination of vibrational temperatures without the need for calibration. To minimize problems associated with low signal to noise ratios, background subtraction and spatial averaging was required.

Comparisons of CFD with CARS Measurements in Hypervelocity Nitrogen Flows

Rotational and vibrational temperatures determined from broadband single pulse Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) experiments 7.2~7.5 MJ/kg) pulsed hypervelocity blunt body flow are presented. Comparing these temperatures with nonequilibrium chemistry nozzle and blunt body CFD codes shows good agreement, despite indicating certain inadequacies in the methods used.

Measurement of excited state populations in the nonequilibrium zone behind shock waves in ionizing argon

Narrowband absorption measurements of excited state populations in the relaxation zone associated with shock waves in ionized argon are presented. The relevance of this data to chemical kinetic models is explored.

Nonequilibrium ionization behind high enthalpy shock waves in low density air

Measurements are reported of the electron populations behind high enthalpy shock waves in low density air. These results are compared with chemical kinetic models. The comparison shows that thermal nonequilibrium effects play a significant role in ionization at these conditions.