Numerical Optimization of an Annular Field Reserved Configuration Translation Experiment
Abstract
Annular field reversed configuration (AFRC) devices form annular plasma toroids between a pair of concentric cylindrical coils. This plasmoid remains detached from the external magnetic _field so that it can be ejected from the coils, making AFRCs viable pulsed inductive plasma accelerators. Though numerous formation studies on AFRCs are available, no successful translation studies have been published. Michigan Technological University, in conjunction with the Air Force Research Laboratory, is investigating the translation of AFRCs as pulsed inductive plasma accelerators. The first step in this investigation is to develop an annular electromagnetic launcher model to study the basic translation characteristics of the device. The launcher model treats the plasmoid as a rigid conducting slug, accelerated out of the coils by a Lorentz force. It predicts coil and plasmoid currents, plasmoid trajectories, and acceleration efficiencies for various input conditions. The model has been optimized for peak acceleration efficiency using a combination of non-dimensional analysis, genetic algorithms, and gradient-based numerical optimization routines. A description of the model, explanation of the numerical optimization techniques, and preliminary results from the model are presented in this paper.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 14, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA506279
Entities
People
- Carrie S. Niemela
- Lyon B. King
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory