Propagation of weak shock waves in plasma of longitudinal flow discharge in air

The propagation of shock waves with Mach numbers $\rm M = 1.5$–$3$ in the plasma of a longitudinal glow discharge in air at $10^1$–$10^4$ Pa is investigated in shock-tube experiments. The gas temperature and its distribution over the cross section are measured, together with spectroscopic measurement of the vibrational temperature. Experimental data on the shock-wave velocity are compared with the results of one- and two-dimensional numerical modeling of shock-wave propagation in a gas with an inhomogeneous temperature distribution.