Plasma Acceleration in Pulsed Ablative ARC Discharges.
Abstract
The study reported upon herein was directed at obtaining a basic understanding of the physics of plasma acceleration in pulsed ablative arc discharges between parallel rail electrodes. The study consists of an experimental program, complemented by a realistic theoretical approach, for determination of the basic energy transfer and acceleration mechanisms in this type of plasma accelerator. The time dependent (continuum) equations of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) with one spatial degree of freedom form the basis for theoretical analysis. These are coupled (via boundary and initial conditions) to the equations governing the flow of charge and energy from the capacitor bank to the plasma. A second order accurate explicit integration scheme is used to solve the equations. The plasma is assumed to have finite electrical conductivity but negligible viscosity and heat conductivity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA010494
Entities
People
- Dominic J. Palumbo
- Martin Begun