Some experiments on ionization behind reflected shock waves in argon

Until now, ionization phenomena behind reflected shock waves have been studied by means of microwave or optical techniques only. In order to get direct and local information on electron temperature and density a plasma eater has been used in this work. Stationary values of these parameters, consistent with thermodynamic equilibrium, were reached after a few microseconds. The time delay between the shock arrival and the onset of ionization was measured more exactly by miniaturized plasma eater systems.