Railguns and plasma accelerators: arc armatures, pulse power sources and US patents

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6388482· OSTI ID:6388482

Friedrich, Jr, O M

Railguns and plasma accelerators have the potential for use in many basic and applied research projects, such as in creating high-pressures for equation-of-state studies and in impact fusion. A brief review of railguns and plasma accelerators with references is presented. Railgun performance is critically dependent on armature operation. Plasma arc railgun armatures are addressed. Pulsed power supplies for multi-stage railguns are considered. This includes brief comments on the compensated pulsed alternator, or compulsator, rotating machinery, and distributed energy sources for railguns. References are given at the end of each section. Appendix A contains a brief review of the US Patents on multi-staging techniques for electromagnetic accelerators, plasma propulsion devices, and electric guns.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6388482
• Report Number(s): UCID-18830(Rev.1); TRN: 81-010278
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PLASMA GUNS
REVIEWS
RAILGUN ACCELERATORS
ELECTRIC ARCS
IMPACT FUSION
PROPULSION
CONFINEMENT
CURRENTS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
IMPACT FUSION DRIVERS
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
700208* - Fusion Power Plant Technology- Inertial Confinement Technology