Strong Ionizing Shock Waves

Abstract

The physical effects created by strong shock waves propagating in hydrogen are reviewed and theoretically studied for speeds up to relativistic conditions. In the progression from weak to relativistic shock speeds, various physical phenomena affect the shock wave. Dissociation, ionization, and the presence of an upstream electric field cause several important effects for slow (sub-Alfvénic speed) normal ionizing shock waves. Switch-on shock behavior is extended to slow ionizing waves. The effect of radiation is investigated for both the optically thick and thin cases. Relativistic shock jump equations are solved for wave speeds approaching the speed of light. Thermonuclear shock solutions are examined. The theory of the electromagnetically driven shock tube is reviewed and the corresponding shock tube problem is explored. Wave stability is reviewed. Experimental results on strong ionizing shock waves are reviewed and discussed.