PERFORMANCE OF A HYDROMAGNETIC PLASMA GUN

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 UTC 1960 · Physics of Fluids (U.S.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1705989· OSTI ID:4191479

Marshall, J

The performance of a hydromagnetic plasma gun is discussed which is able to accelerate several liters of hydrogen plasma containing about 5 x 10/sup 13/ protons to a velocity of 1.5 x 10/sup 7/ cm/sec and deposits more than 40% of the electric input energy at its terminals into kinetic energy of the jet. Magnetic probe measurements indicate that the jet can punch its way axially through the 10,000-gauss field of an external solenoid. Mass spectroscopic observations of a collimated sample of the jet shows a proton velocity spread of less than a factor of two. This and other evidence indicates a relatively low temperature of the plasma compared to its kinetic energy (100 ev per proton). (B.O.G.)

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-14-009152
• OSTI ID: 4191479
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids (U.S.), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 3; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACCELERATORS
COILS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ENERGY
HYDROGEN
JETS
LOW TEMPERATURE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MASS SPECTROMETERS
MEASURED VALUES
PERFORMANCE
PHYSICS
PLASMA
PROBES
PROTONS
VELOCITY