A high gain, time-resolving spectrograph for the diagnosis of laboratory simulated reentry

To increase the sensitivity of a time-resolving spectrograph, a four-stage, magnetically focused, cascade type image intensifier was coupled to an electron scanning image converter. A radiant intensity gain of more than 500, enough to permit the study of far wake radiation, has been achieved, along with sufficient spectral resolution for the determination of temperature and electron density profiles in the flow behind a hypervelocity object. An example of wake temperature results from the time-resolved vibrational bands of CN is presented.