PULSE DURATION EFFECT ON PLASMA RESISTIVITY.
Abstract
At the Ninth Modulator Symposium the resistivity of high-current discharges in hydrogen was discussed. At that time, the pulse-width dependence had not been studied, and it was believed that the resistivity was essentially independent of pulse width until thermal conduction and radiation heating of the wall introduced impurities. Further measurements were made on 3-inch diameter tubes with electrode spacings ranging from 2 to 22 inches. The pulse duration used was 56 microseconds as compared to 28 microseconds for the previous study. The resistivity was calculated from the tube drop versus current measurements. A comparison was made with the resistivities predicted from electron density and temperature measurements obtained from Stark broadening and line intensity ratio techniques. It was determined that a gas temperature correction had to be made for the pressure dependent term of the predicted resistivity. The temperature correction was directly proportional to the power dissipated in the gas discharge. It was concluded that in long pulses gas heating effects can increase the plasma resistivity significantly. Results obtained at 15 and 22 kiloamperes and pressures of 0.5, 1.0. and 5.0 torr are presented. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0676840
Entities
People
- John E. Creedon
- Sol Schneider
Organizations
- United States Army Communications-Electronics Command