Railgun Plasma Armature Characterisation Experiments,
Abstract
A Plasma Armature Characterisation Experiment (PACE) is described. The PACE device is designed to study the plasma armature of railguns and yields information on properties such as temperature, pressure, densities, plasma potential and ion species with their degrees of ionisation. The main experimental studies are by spectroscopy of the light emitted and by Langmuir probes. The device simulates the plasma moving behind the projectile in a railgun by a static plasma held by electromagnetic forces against a fixed wall. Results to date demonstrate the feasibility of the concept and indicate improvements to the device which will ensure that much useful information is difficult to acquire by other means.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA149083
Entities
People
- D. D. Richardson
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group