Experimental study and numerical modeling of vibrational oxygen temperature profiles behind a strong shock wave front

The evolution of oxygen molecule vibrational temperature behind the front of a shock wave was studied at shock wave velocities 3 4.5 km/s and gas pressure ahead of the shock front 1 5 Torr. The results of vibrational temperature measurement confirmed the conception of separation of vibrational relaxation and dissociation zones behind the shock wave front at T ≤ 6500 K. It is observed that at T = 6500 – 10 500 K the vibrational temperature decreased in comparison with its value characterized by the achievement of vibrational translational equilibrium before the dissociation started. It is shown that the model should to be modified to describe the evolution of the oxygen vibrational temperature under the conditions of vibrational relaxation and dissociation coupling.