ISSN:
1089-7550
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Experiments with coaxial plasma guns at currents in excess of ten megamperes have resulted in the production of high-voltage pulses (0.5 MV) and hard x radiation (10–200 keV). The x-radiation pulse occurs substantially after the high-voltage pulse suggesting that high-energy electrons are generated by dynamic processes in a very high speed ((approximately-greater-than)106 m/s), magnetized plasma flow. Such flows, which result from acceleration of relatively low-density plasma (10−4 vs 1.0 kg/m3) by magnetic fields of 20–30 T, support high voltages by the back electromotive force-u×B during the opening switch phase of the plasma flow switch. A simple model of classical ion slowing down and subsequent heating of background electrons can explain spectral evidence of 30-keV electron temperatures in fully stripped aluminum plasma formed from plasma flows of 1–2 × 106 m/s. Similar modeling and spectral evidence indicates tungsten ion kinetic energies of 4.5 MeV and 46 keV electron temperatures of a highly stripped tungsten plasma.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.348773
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