An Electronic Scheme for Measuring Exploding Wire Energy

An improved electronic scheme has been developed for measuring exploding wire energy as a function of time. It eliminates the problem of serious errors due to induced voltages resulting from high rates of change of current. Such induced voltages can rise to many tens of kilovolts, completely masking the desired signals, unless they are nullified in some fashion. In this scheme only passive circuit elements are used (in contrast to dynamic elements such as amplifiers used in previous schemes) to sense signals and to prohibit or effect cancellation of unwanted induced voltages. It is a useful research tool having application to all types of wire-exploder circuitry (both lumped-constant and traveling wave), to any study or application of exploding wires, and with broad application to any rapid deposition of electrical energy in a resistance. It represents a simplification of measurement technique and circuitry while permitting greater accuracy and operating convenience compared to previous methods. Exploding wire energy up to 9.5 kJ was measured with this scheme applied to a lumped-constant, capacitor-bank type of exploder.