CaltechTHESIS
  A Caltech Library Service

The Effusion of Charged Particles from a Shock Heated Gas

Citation

Sturtevant, Bradford (1960) The Effusion of Charged Particles from a Shock Heated Gas. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/PCNN-DW03. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-12302004-145356

Abstract

NOTE: Text or symbols not renderable in plain ASCII are indicated by [...]. Abstract is included in .pdf document. An experimental and theoretical investigation is made of the application of a molecular beam type sampling device for studying low density shock tube flows to the case of slowly ionizing argon behind a reflected shock wave. The flux of charged particles from a gas heated to about 10,OOO[degrees]K and 20 mm. Hg. through a small orifice in the shock tube end wall is measured. The processes determining this flux are the initial stages of ionization in argon and the diffusion of charged particles to a cold metallic wall. Providing the diffusion process is understood, the measurements constitute a direct observation of incipient ionization ([...]). The transient charge diffusion mechanism is studied in detail theoretically, avoiding the assumption of ambipolar diffusion. It is concluded that the major problem lies in the understanding of the wall-gas interaction as represented by boundary conditions at the wall. An approximate relation for charge effusion is derived. It is concluded from the experimental results that the initial ionization can not be due to a single step, electron-atom collision process but must result from a series of several atom-atom collisions resulting in the ionization of argon atoms.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:(Aeronautics)
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Aeronautics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Liepmann, Hans Wolfgang
Group:GALCIT
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1 January 1960
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-12302004-145356
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-12302004-145356
DOI:10.7907/PCNN-DW03
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:5170
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:30 Dec 2004
Last Modified:09 Nov 2023 00:25

Thesis Files

[img]
Preview
PDF (Sturtevant_b_1960.pdf) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

4MB

Repository Staff Only: item control page