Energy Deposition and Expansion Rates of Single 15 μm Modulated and Un-Modulated Aluminum Wires

Summary form only given. Single aluminum wires, 15 μm in diameter and 2 cm in length, were driven by the Cornell LCP3 pulse generator, which nominally produced 1 kA, 200 ns current pulses with rise times ranging from 15 to 100 ns. Both positive and negative polarities were investigated. Wires with both an axially uniform radius and a periodic axial modulation of the radius were studied. The modulated wires were characterized by a 15% modulation of the radius, and a 4 mm modulation wavelength. Measurements of the energy deposited and of the peak voltages obtained were acquired from current and voltage monitors. Laser backlighting enabled observation of the radial expansion process. As a result, radial expansion rates were determined, along with the degree of axial uniformity of the radial expansion along the wires