1. Formation of ion-acoustic shocks
- Author
-
White, R. B, Fried, B. D, and Coroniti, F. V
- Subjects
Physics, Plasma - Abstract
The formation of an ion-acoustic shock in a numerically modeled two-chamber double plasma device is investigated for a plasma of cold ions and isothermal Boltzmann electrons. An initial potential ramp applied to the driver chamber launches an ion-acoustic pulse into the target chamber which steepens into a shock. The quasi-steady shock structure agrees with observed double plasma shocks. An upper limit of Mach 1.6 is observed independent of the potential ramp magnitude, in agreement with theory.
- Published
- 1974
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