CO2-laser-driven detonation waves in the presence of a strong magnetic field

Abstract

CO₂‐laser‐driven detonation fronts have been studied in low‐pressure hydrogen and helium with axial magnetic fields up to 88 kG. At pressures above 100 Torr the shock front propagates toward the laser and the magnetic field has no observable effect. At lower pressures and no field, plasma fronts move both toward and away from the laser. The 88‐kG field confines the plasma radially and causes the ``downstream'' front to disappear. The shock motion is well described by the modified detonation model of Daiber and Thompson.