Measurements of temporal and spatial characteristics of electrohydrodynamic instabilities

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.342915· OSTI ID:6525513

Pregenzer, A L; Woodworth, J R

Since an electrohydrodynamically (EHD) driven liquid-lithium ion source is being developed for experiments on the Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator II at Sandia National Laboratories, EHD experiments have been started with several liquids. In this paper, we present results of experimental studies of the behavior of the surface of water and ethanol in the presence of 15--40-kV/cm dc electric fields. Fields of this magnitude can produce unstable growth of surface perturbations with wavelengths in the 0.1--1.0 cm range. There is excellent agreement between theory and experiment for values of the wavelength of the dominant mode as a function of the applied electric field E/sub 0/. Theoretical predictions about the temporal behavior of cusp formation are consistent with experiment. The experimental results are applicable, via scaling laws, to liquids in the presence of electric fields in the 1--50 MV/cm range, where unstable surface perturbations may produce field enhancements sufficient to field evaporate ions from the liquid surface.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
• OSTI ID: 6525513
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 65:5; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
ACCELERATORS
ALCOHOLS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DESIGN
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
ETHANOL
FABRICATION
FIELD EMISSION
FLUIDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
ION SOURCES
IONS
LIQUID METALS
LIQUIDS
LITHIUM IONS
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE BEAM FUSION ACCELERATOR
SURFACES
WATER