Xenon Shock Waves Driven by High Magnetic Fields

Magnetic fields in the range 0.2 – 2.0 MG produce shocks in 0.1 – 1.0 atmosphere xenon gas which have shock mach numbers as high as 100. Using pulsed x-ray and other diagnostics, our studies of velocity, compression, and luminosity are in good agreement with a simple snowplow theory. In some of the experiments, ultraviolet radiation from the shocked xenon produces luminous precursors and interactions with the metal walls of the shock tube. The addition of an ultraviolet absorbing organic impurity vapor diminishes the amplitude of these effects. A clean, chemically inert metal wall is even more effective. Further experiments show that magnetic shear has a stabilizing effect on the current-carrying layer of the shocked gas. We conclude that a megagauss magnetic field is a useful shock tube driver for producing high velocity shock waves.