Surface Dynamics of Unipolar Arcing
Abstract
A 4.55 microsecond, 15 Joule pulsed CO2 laser was used to illuminate a copper target. Bulk plasma was found to be emitted normally to the target surface independent of the laser angle of incidence over the range of 45 deg + 15 deg. Material ejected from a copper target was allowed to deposit onto polished type 304 stainless steel surfaces. The ejected material deposited in concentric rings in many places. The mechanism for this is unknown. Polished type 304 stainless steel surfaces were coated with one to ten micron copper films and shot with the laser. Damage to the films indicate that the damage mechanism may simply be joule heating from the arc current. This lead to a procedure for calculating that arc current. the arc lifetime is necessary but still unknown. no correlation was found between unipolar arc pit diameter and depth.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA230855
Entities
People
- Richard K. Downs
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School