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Title: Exploratory investigation of a shock-induced phase transformation in hot-pressed PbS for a high-current, fast-opening switch

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7140800

The feasibility of using hot-pressed PbS as a fast-opening high-current (>10/sup 3/ A/cm/sup 2/) switch for >10/sup 12/ watt plasma experiments has been explored. The switch concept is based on a shock-induced phase transition in PbS from a conducting to an insulating state. The present experimental results show that the hot-pressed PbS material undergoes the phase transition under shock-loading as well as under hydrostatic and quasi-hydrostatic pressure. However, the resistivity increase under shock-loading is considerably lower than that under static pressure loading, and under high-current conditions the material becomes irreversibly conductive. This combination of effects makes hot-pressed PbS unsuitable for the proposed application.

Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, N.Mex. (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-04-0789
OSTI ID:
7140800
Report Number(s):
SAND-76-0596; TRN: 77-000988
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English