Acoustic resonances in gas-filled spherical bulb with parabolic temperature profile.

Abstract

Acoustics is used to probe the temperature profile within a sulfur plasma lamp. A spherically symmetric temperature profile is assumed that drops with the square of the radius, consistent with a constant volumetric heating model. Acoustic resonance frequencies are calculated exactly in the case of an ideal gas. Experimental measurement of a few resonant frequencies allows determination of the temperature profile curvature. This technique can be viewed as an extension of ultrasonic resonant spectroscopy to systems that are highly non-uniform due to off-equilibrium energy flow.