Nanosecond electrical explosion of thin aluminum wires in a vacuum: Experimental and computational investigations
- Ktech Corporation, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123 (United States)
Experimental and computational investigations of nanosecond electrical explosion of a thin Al wire in vacuum are presented. We have demonstrated that increasing the current rate leads to increased energy deposited before voltage collapse. The experimental evidence for synchronization of the wire expansion and light emission with voltage collapse is presented. Hydrocarbons are indicated in optical spectra and their influence on breakdown physics is discussed. The radial velocity of low-density plasma reaches a value of {approx}100 km/s. The possibility of an overcritical phase transition due to high pressure is discussed. A one-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation shows good agreement with experimental data. The MHD simulation demonstrates separation of the exploding wire into a high-density cold core and a low-density hot corona as well as fast rejection of the current from the wire core to the corona during voltage collapse. Important features of the dynamics for the wire core and corona follow from the MHD simulation and are discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 20641426
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Vol. 71, Issue 4; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.71.046404; (c) 2005 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1063-651X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ALUMINIUM
BREAKDOWN
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
EXPANSION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
EXPLODING WIRES
EXPLOSIONS
HYDROCARBONS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHOTON EMISSION
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA SIMULATION
RADIAL VELOCITY
SYNCHRONIZATION
VISIBLE RADIATION
VISIBLE SPECTRA