This award will support collaborative research between Prof. Joseph W. Rich, Ohio State University, and Dr. Jean-Pierre Martin of the Laboratory of Molecular Energetics and Macroscopic Combustion at the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, Chatenay, France. The research will involve theoretical and experimental studies of physical gas dynamics and molecular energy transfer, with a concentration on the flow of molecular gases in a high state of vibrational or rotational nonequilibrium. Dye laser measurements will be performed on reaction kinetics in NO and CO gases, emitted from nozzles designed to produce the desired nonequilibrium flow. Theoretical analyses will involve calculation of the rate constants for collisions between molecules, and the evolution of translational temperature, pressure, and density along supersonic free jets. The theoretical results will then be compared to the experimental results. Dye laser diagnostics and infrared emission measurements will be performed at Ohio State University, in collaboration with the French researchers, who have considerable expertise in these areas. Computer modeling will be undertaken at both institutions and the resulting codes will be shared. A systematic exchange of theoretical and analytical results will be initiated via computer networks. The results of this work may have important applications in such fields as high-energy gas lasers, hypersonic vehicles, and supersonic ramjet aircraft.
