SHACK WAVE AND PLASMA DYNAMICS IN A SURFACE DISCHARGE FLASH LAMP

Shock waves and plasma dynamics induced by an open discharge called a ''formed-ferrite-plasma'' source result in intense radiation from the visible to the vacuum ultraviolet region. an experimental study of both the shock waves and plasma expansions from the ferrite surface has been carried out as a function of electrical energy deposition and of background argon pressure. We show that the propagation of the shock wave is accurately described by the following expression: R = b(E/rho(0))(alpha)t(n), where R is the distance of the shock front from the surface of the ferrite; E the deposited energy; rho(0) the density of background gas; b, alpha, and n three constants, and t the time.