THE INVESTIGATION OF THE HIGH-ENERGY ACCELERATION MODE IN THE COAXIAL GUN
The amount of deuterium gas admitted to a short-centerelectrode (1 cm) coaxial plasma gan delineates two regions of operation, depending on whether the gas is localized near the inlet port or allowed to diffuse throughout the gan length. In the former case, fast deuterium ions with energy in excess of the applied voltage (V/sub O/ = 15 kv) emerge from the gan muzzle whereas in the latter, the accelerated plasma (which initially starts at the breech end) reaches an axial velocity of --2.5 x 10/sup 7/ cm/sec at the muzzle end and forms a high density plasma focus on the axis in front of the central electrode. Neutron measurements show that this dense plasma is not in contact with the electrode and is most probably stagnated by the high ambient gas pressure downstream. Particle momentum analysis of the fast-ion (>V/sub O/) distribution and neutron measurements downstream of the gun suggest two accelerated groups of fast ions: a group of approximates 10/sup 16/ particles, which diverge from the gun muzzle; and a group of approximates 10/sup 14/ particles, which streams primarily along the axis with a radial distribution of approximates 3 cm width. Multiple probes show an asymmetric angular distribution of the discharge current that varies as a function of time during a given discharge. A sharp break in the total gas current is accompanied by large inductive voltages. In the highenergy mode, inductive voltages up to 7 x V/sub O/ are recorded at the breech end. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-004634
- OSTI ID:
- 4123391
- Report Number(s):
- LADC-5356
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-64
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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