Abstract

A survey of optical methods applied in experiments with shock tubes is presented. Attention is paid to the application of interferometric methods for determining the concentration of components in shock-heated gases, especially for determining the concentration of electrons. The method described assumes the validity of the additive law of specific refractions as well as the simultaneous measurements of interferometric stripes at two different wavelengths apart from the resonance regions. The experimental verification of the refractive index of dissociating components of gases is outlined. The experimentally determined values of the refractive index of atomic nitrogen and oxygen used for the quantitative evaluation of phenomena in the shock tube are quoted.