Spectroscopic Studies Of Imploding Plasma Rings In Detonable Gas Mixtures

Spectroscopic observations were made of the flow field behind a cylindrical hypersonic wave front resulting from an imploding electrical discharge into an initially low pressure quiescent gas. Sub-microsecond resolved spectra were obtained by use of a quartz prism monochromator-photomultiplier detector system with photographic recording of an oscilloscope displayed output signal. Electrically produced plasma rings were established in detonable as well as nonreactive gases. Strong indications were observed that exothermic reactions, as evidenced by H2O emission, proceed in H2+1/2O2 reactant mixtures within less than one microsecond under certain initial low pressure conditions. A reaction threshold at 1 mm Hg A. pressure was found for the particular reaction vessel used. Time-integrated spectrometer photos support the conclusions reached with the transient spectra analysis equipment. (Author).