Electrical and Photographic Characterization of Low-Intensity Capacitor Spark Discharges.

Abstract

Some properties of the gaseous discharges normally used in electrostatic initiation of primary explosives are determined from electrical and photographic studies. It is shown that the magnitude of the postbreakdown current can determine the form of the discharge. For currents larger than about 0.3 amp, the discharge is essentially an arc characterized by a low (15-30 v) voltage drop across the gap. For currents less than 0.1 amp, the discharge is essentially a spark or glow discharge characterized by a voltage drop of approximately 300 volts across the gap. In both cases, the voltages and the transition current are only slightly affected by variations in the gap length.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA008356

Entities

People

  • B. D. Pollock
  • C. R. Westgate
  • M. S. Kirshenbaum

Organizations

  • Picatinny Arsenal

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Capacitors
  • Electric Discharges
  • Electron Emission
  • Electronic Components
  • Electronic Equipment
  • Emission
  • Explosives
  • Glow Discharges
  • Intensity
  • Transitions

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Rocket Propulsion.