Electron Diffusion ahead of Shock Waves in Argon

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Abstract
Experiments with electrostatic and magnetic probes were performed to investigate the electron diffusion ahead of shock waves of Ms = 8 to 12 in argon. Negative electrostatic signals of several volts were obtained with pronounced fronts propagating with velocities up to several times the shock velocity. The current produced by the diffusing electrons was determined from a measurement of the azimuthal magnetic field and found to be of the order of 10−5 amp for Ms = 12. By assuming that the electron flow velocity is approximately equal to the velocity of the electrostatic front, the measured current corresponds to an electron density of ne ≈ 107 cm−3 at about 1 m ahead of the shock front.

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