Structure Analysis of Laser Supported Detonation Waves by Two-Wavelength Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

Abstract

To investigate the internal structure of LSD waves, electron density distribution n_e was measured by two-wavelength Mach-Zehnder interferometer and electron temperature T_e was by emission spectroscopy. As a result, peak values of n_e and T_e were about 2 × 10²⁴m^-3 and 30,000K, respectively. Based on the measured properties, laser absorption coefficient was calculated. It showed that incident laser energy was perfectly absorbed in a layer much thinner than a plasma layer, situation of which was not predicted by the conventional LSD model. Measured n_e at the shock front was not zero while LSD was supported. This suggested that the precursor electrons exist ahead of the shock wave.