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