Shock wave propagation and structure in non-uniform gases and plasmas

Theoretical estimates and computational analysis of the role of temperature gradients, non-uniform heating, and wall effects in determining structure of propagating shocks in glow discharges and of bow shocks around moving spheres is performed. The multi-peak structure of density-gradient shock profiles observed in glow discharges is shown to be consistent with gas dynamic effects of shock distortion and complex flow structure caused by transverse temperature gradients. A possible role of finite geometry combined with non-uniform temperature distribution in ballistic range studies is analyzed. Vibrational relaxation phenomena are indicated as potentially important in determining bow shock structure around blunt bodies moving through molecular plasmas.