Experimental Study of Strong Transverse Ionizing Shock Waves

Experiments are described in which transverse ionizing shock speeds up to 4×108 cm/sec were measured in gaseous hydrogen. Measurements of the magnetic shock structure, shock thickness, and magnetic field jump are described and compared with theoretical predictions. The ion temperature near the device wall was measured by a charge exchange particle detector. A separation distance of about 30 cm between the shock wave and the magnetic piston was measured.