Anode-sheath dynamic of Metal Plasma Arc Switches
Recently, five different, novel, experimental, high-power active devices called Metal Plasma Arc Switches (MPAS) characterized by high arc voltage (100 to 100 kV) were developed here at SUNY/AB, and three other research organizations. As their name implies, the conducting medium is a metallic plasma vapor. The MPAS devices are actively or repetitively controllable while in their conducting state. Control of these devices was obtained internally through unique geometries and through the external means of applied magnetic fields. These switches show some promise for use as opening switches in the field of pulsed power. The author develops the theory of operation for one of the magnetically controlled MPASs and compares the resulting predictions to the available experimental diagnostics. Before this work there was no satisfactory dynamical theory of operation for any of these switches. The author shows how the magnetic forces and anode sheath work in concert to display the observed voltage and current characteristics of a particular device during the controlled phase of operation. Suggestions for extending the theory to other MPAS devices will be discussed.
- Research Organization:
- State Univ. of New York, Buffalo (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7029570
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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