Study of energy parameters in non-equilibrium supersonic jets at low gas pressure using the data from molecular-beam diagnostics

The paper deals with an issue of extending the experimental capabilities in the study of gas dynamics for rarefied gas jets through using new diagnostic tools for evaluating the energy parameters of a flow. The study considers the known approaches to measuring temperature in a rarefied gas flow. We provide a detailed description of the presented method and equipment for measuring the transverse density (or intensity) profiles in a molecular beam and deriving the perpendicular speed ratio. Comparison of the experimental data with available data from theoretical models confirmed the reliability of gained information. The possibilities and conditions for calculating the translational (perpendicular) temperature were examined. The analysis covers the error and the reliability range of obtained results as well as the influence of skimmer interaction and background gas penetration on the recorded parameters. In addition, the possibility of expanding the investigation range using the selected method was considered.