Shock wave propagation and structure in non-uniform gases and plasmas

1999 by S. O. Macheret. Theoretical estimates and computational analysis of the role of temperature gradients, non-uniform heating, and wall effects in determining structure of propagating shocks in glow discharges and of bow shocks around moving spheres is performed. The multi-peak structure of density-gradient shock profiles observed in glow discharges is shown to be consistent with gas dynamic effects of shock distortion and complex flow structure caused by transverse temperature gradients. A possible role of finite geometry combined with non-uniform temperature distribution in ballistic range studies is analyzed. Vibrational relaxation phenomena are indicated as potentially important in determining bow shock structure around blunt bodies moving through molecular plasmas.

Shock wave propagation and structure in non-uniform gases and plasmas Conference Paper