Oxygen vibrational and dissociation relaxation behind regular reflected shocks

The oxygen vibrational and dissociation relaxation behind regular reflected shocks has been calculated and measured. Numerical calculations using published rate coefficients supplied the relaxation-zone data needed to estimate the range of most useful experimental conditions. Then photographs of the shock reflexion were taken using a complementary double-exposure interferometer. The density profiles in the relaxation zones behind the reflected shocks were measured by means of a multibeam laser-differential interferometer. The results of these experiments confirmed the theoretical model adopted for the calculations within a certain range of experimental conditions, but clearly revealed the need for revising the rate coefficients. New calculations with different vibrational relaxation times and dissociation rate coefficients then had the result that the best fit of calculated to measured profiles was obtained when the following values were inserted. Vibration {eqnarray*} & pτ_v = A_vexp(B_vT-1/3),\\ & A_v = (2.1± 0.2)× 10⁻⁵\,{ kg/ms}, B_v = 129\,{}∘{ K}1/3. {eqnarray*} Dissociation: O2+ O_2[rlarr ] 2O + O_2 {eqnarray*} & { {k_1}^{}} = A_1T-2.5exp (-θ_D/T),\\ & A_1 = (6.2 ± 0.5)× 10¹⁸\,{ m}^3\,{}∘{ K}2.5/{ mol}\,{ s},θ_D = 59\,136\,{}∘{ K}. {eqnarray*} Dissociation: O2+ O[rlarr ]3O {eqnarray*} & { {k_1}^{}} = A_2T-1.0exp (-θ_D/T),\\ & A_2 = (4.0 ∓ 0.5)× 10⁻¹³\,{ m}^3\,{}∘{ K}/{ mol}\,{ s}. {eqnarray*}