Subsonic radiation waves. I. Waves supported by ultraviolet laser radiation

A numerical solution of a transient spectral radiation-gasdynamic problem was used to determine the parameters of plane subsonic radiation waves (SRWs) in air supported by ultraviolet laser radiation. The SRW parameters were compared for various wavelengths (between 0.3 and 10 μm). A simple one-dimensional model of a steady-state SRW supported by ultraviolet laser radiation was constructed. This was based on the assumption that transfer of the plasma thermal self-radiation can be taken into account using the approximation of radiative heat transfer. The parameters of plane SRWs supported by λ = 0.31 μm laser radiation, were investigated as a function of the power density of the laser radiation over a wide range (as far as the transition to the optical detonation regime).