Anthem simulational studies of the plasma opening switch

Conference · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:10151785

Mason, R J

For a deeper understanding of the physical processes governing the Plasma Opening Switch (POS) we use the ANTHEM 2D implicit simulation code to study: (1) ion dynamical effects on electrohydrodynamic (EHD) waves propagating along steep density interfaces in the switch plasmas. At radial interfaces where the density jumps toward the anode, these waves can drive a finger of magnetic field into the plasma toward the load. Ion dynamics can open the rear of such fingers into a wedge-like density gap. Then: (2) we examine ion effects in uniform switch plasmas. These first develop potential hill structures at the drive edge of the cathode from the competition between electron velocity advection and EHD magnetic exclusion waves. Magnetic pressure gradients at the hill periphery and EHD effects then establish a density gap propagating along the cathode with radial electron emission from its tip. Similar results are obtained under both multi-fluid and PIC modeling of the plasma components.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 10151785
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--92-1705; CONF-920515--12; ON: DE92015247
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
426000
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990200
COMPONENTS
ELECTRON DEVICES AND CIRCUITS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ELECTROHYDRODYNAMICS
MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTERS
PLASMA SIMULATION
PLASMA SWITCHES
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
WAVE PROPAGATION