High-Energy High-Q Capacitor Banks Driving High-Current Long-Duration Arc Discharges

Abstract

High-energy capacitor banks have been constructed to investigate long-duration (100 microS to > 10 ms) high-current wire initiated arc discharges. In particular a megajoule bank which produces large currents with high voltage-reversal has been constructed. This capacitor bank is used in a high-Q circuit with a specially constructed low-loss, 1.7 mH inductor. The effects of low frequency and high-voltage reversal on these capacitors are described. Also, the effects of high-coulomb transfer on a high action spark gap are presented. A spectroscopic observation system capable of measuring visible emission from these discharges has been constructed and is used to obtain electron number density and temperature measurements versus the discharge radius, as well as provide information on the time evolution of the discharge composition.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA637686

Entities

People

  • E. Ball
  • J. Bernardes
  • K. Hutcherson
  • M. Ingram
  • R. Gripshover
  • R. Korzekwa
  • Tom Berger
  • V. Gehman

Organizations

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Capacitors
  • Electric Arcs
  • Electrons
  • Emission
  • Emission Spectroscopy
  • Energy
  • High Energy
  • High Voltage
  • Inductors
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Pulsed Power
  • Spark Gaps
  • Spectra
  • Spectral Lines
  • Spectroscopy
  • Voltage

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Microwave Engineering.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics