Abstract
The variation of electron density and neutral atom density behind incident shock waves in argon, krypton, and xenon are measured using a two wavelength laser interferometer with photoelectric detection of fringe shifts. The accuracy of the measured area densities ∫ Ne dl and ∫ Na dl is better than 1 per cent. Densities measured at the moment of maximum electron density agree well with Rankine-Hugoniot densities. There are no indications to deviations from LTE. Additionally, in the radiation cooling region the decrease of temperature is determined.

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