Microwave Doppler Measurements of the Ionization Front in Cylindrical Shock Waves from Exploding Wires

Abstract

Strong cylindrical shock waves from exploding wires have been measured by microwave Doppler techniques. The results obtained simultaneously on two or three independent frequencies are in very good agreement and show that the ionization front is well defined. The Taylor-Lin similarity blast wave theory for the shock wave propagation is well verified over distances up to 6 or 7 cm under the present conditions. Systematic results for the determination of shock wave energy and the efficiency for shock productio1n in air over a range of pressures, wire diameters, and stored electrical energy are presented. Relative to optical methods used in the same problem the present technique is more sensitive and perhaps more precise.