Homogeneous nucleation of xenon in supersonic shock tube flow

The vapor nucleation of xenon, diluted in helium or argon, was investigated in the supersonic expansion wave of a shock tube. The thermodynamic states for the homogeneous condensation onset were varied between 78 and 115 K with corresponding partial pressures of xenon in the range 110–2100 Pa. It was found that the starting temperature of the expansion affects the onset state. Furthermore, the xenon/argon gas mixture nucleated at lower undercoolings than the xenon/helium system.