Pulse power for high energy density physics experiments Page: 7 of 9
This article is part of the collection entitled: Office of Scientific & Technical Information Technical Reports and was provided to UNT Digital Library by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The plasma flow switch operates in cylindrical geometry with a "washer" of plasma movin between
cylindcal electrodes, propelled by the rnagnetic field in the vaczm energy Store. Ibe plasma is initial
formed from a solid foil ar wire array located a few rentimeters upstream of the oad. Current vaporizes and
ionizes the plasma flow swisca material and accelerates the plasma to velodties of 5-10 cm/pa before the
plasma transits the load slt at the end of the gun Conduction time is dLermined by the mass of the plasma,
the value of the magnetic pressure propelling the plasma and the distance the plasma traveled before arriving
at the load slot the opening time is determined by the velocity of the plasma vupon arrival at the Iar. slot and
the axial length of the slot. The efficiency of current transfer to the load is determined by the ability of the
dynamic opening process to clear plasma from behind the ' washer" allowing flux to flow to the load region.
Clearly density of plasma behind the main washer is a key determiner of the availability of flux to the load and
recent measurements indiaze that background plasma density in the system during switch operation can have
a ubsantially adverse effect on plasma flow switch -aformance. A schematic description of plasma flow
switch operatviw is shown in Figure 5
Coaxia barrel Load Slot
(length, l) (height, h)
Plasma
(mass, M)
Figure 5 Plasma Flow Switch Operation
One explosive pulsed power system developed for high energy density physic experiments at Los Alarnos
is called Procyon and uses a large helical flux compressor to power an inductive store system that is switched
by the explosively formed fuse. The Mark IX helical generator is initially loaded with 400-500 kA current and
delivers about 24 MA to a 60 nH inductive store. The heical generator has a total operating time of about 180
psec. The system delivers almost 17 MJ to the inductive store during the operation of 'he helical generceir.
The explosively formed fuse opens in less than 2 psec and delivers 16 MA through a set of detonator operated
load isolating closing switches to the plasma flow switch. Approximately 2 psec later the plasma flow switch
opens delivering almost 16 MA in 400 ns to a fixed inductance load. Figure 6 shows a schematic description
of the Procyon system.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This article can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Article.
Reinovsky, R.E. Pulse power for high energy density physics experiments, article, May 1, 1995; New Mexico. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc690046/m1/7/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.