Title :
Physical processes and parametric studies on an electrothermal launcher
Author :
Veron, L. ; Noiret, P. ; Roux, S. ; Aubouin, P.
Author_Institution :
Commissariat l´Energie Atomique, Courtry, France
Abstract :
Experimental results obtained on a 600 kJ electrothermal launcher are presented. Parametric studies have been completed at the energy level of 150 kJ for analyzing physical processes. The optimal working fluid mass has been determined by efficiency measurements and correlated with a calculated value. The gas expansion has been studied by varying projectile masses and by a time-resolved pressure and velocity measurement. These results allowed us to determine the polytropic exponent of the plasma.<>
Keywords :
electrothermal launchers; plasma devices; plasma diagnostics; plasma guns; plasma pressure; pressure measurement; projectiles; velocity measurement; 150 kJ; 600 kJ; efficiency measurements; electrothermal launcher; energy level; gas expansion; optimal working fluid mass; parametric studies; physical processes; plasma polytropic exponent; projectile masses; time-resolved pressure measurement; time-resolved velocity measurement; Electrothermal effects; Electrothermal launching; Impedance; Parametric study; Plasma accelerators; Plasma sources; Projectiles; Pulsed power supplies; Voltage; Wire;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
