Some experiments on relaxation behind reflected shock waves in argon-molecular gas mixtures

The limitation of the applicability of plasma eaters in mixtures of argon with molecular components is shown. We were able to measuren_e andT_e in argon-hydrogen mixture behind the reflected shock wave and find a strong reduction of both parameters caused by the molecular species. Similarly, the delay of the onset of ionization in argon-hydrogen and argon-nitrogen mixtures is substantially reduced. On the other hand, the molecular component reduces the velocity of thermodynamic equilibration, as has been shown by means of time resolved optical interferometry.