Plasma analysis of a large-bore, arc-driven railgun
Abstract
Some recent experimental data obtained from the large-bore railgun CHECMATE are analyzed to determine the electrodynamic and thermodynamic properties of the plasma armature. Experimental values of the arc length and muzzle voltage, as well as an experimentally fitted current-density profile, are used in the analysis. With these data used as input, model calculations are undertaken to determine the remaining properties of the arc. Results of the data analysis are then compared with some purely theoretical calculations, and possible reasons for the differences are noted and discussed. Among other findings it appears that the total mass of the arc remains nearly constant over the acceleration time.
- Publication:
-
IEEE Transactions on Magnetics
- Pub Date:
- January 1989
- DOI:
- 10.1109/20.22580
- Bibcode:
- 1989ITM....25..448P
- Keywords:
-
- Arc Generators;
- Armatures;
- Electrodynamics;
- Plasma Diagnostics;
- Railgun Accelerators;
- Thermodynamic Properties;
- Aluminum;
- Atomic Weights;
- Carbon;
- Copper;
- Ionization Potentials;
- Ohmic Dissipation;
- Plasma Physics