Design of foil implosion system for Pioneer 1 experiments
Abstract
A foil implosion system is described that integrates an explosive flux-compression generator, a flat plate feed section with power conditioning switches, and a vacuum electrode region containing a cylindrical foil/plasma load. Power conditioning, obtained with an explosive-driven plasma compression opening switch and explosive-actuated closing switches, provides a submicrosecond multimegampere pulse for the implosion of an aluminum plasma. The flat plate section is configured for bidirectional feed to the coaxial vacuum electrodes. Important considerations in the design of the vacuum power flow region include gap failure, feed symmetry, and radial diagnostic access. The system presently accommodates a foil radius of 3 cm. Innovative foil insertion and clamping techniques are also described.
- Publication:
-
Presented at the 5th IEEE Pulsed Power Conf
- Pub Date:
- 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985pupo.conf.....E
- Keywords:
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- Aluminum;
- Foils (Materials);
- Implosions;
- Pioneer Space Probes;
- Power Supplies;
- Electrodes;
- Experiment Design;
- Plasma Compression;
- Spark Gaps;
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering