Electrical Explosion of Micron Size Wires in Air and Water

Summary form only given. The influence of wire material on wire explosion dynamics in dense media under nanosecond voltage pulses has been studied and the results will be presented. Thin Al, Ni, stainless steel, Cu, Mo, and W wires from 25 to 50 microns in diameter were exploded in atmospheric pressure air and water using a pulser based on a low inductance capacitor with a current rise time of 50-200 ns. Discharge parameters (load voltage, load current, and the rate of rise of the current) have been measured for charging voltage of the capacitor varying from 10 to 25 kV. Wire conductivity during the discharge was measured and the energy deposition in the wire material was determined. Phase transitions were clearly seen in the signal waveforms and were studied. Data about discharge channel formation as a function of the wire material and the discharge medium was analyzed and will be presented. The discharge channel has been studied by laser probing using shadow and schlieren techniques using a YAG:Nd⁺³ laser. Expansion rates of the wire cores and shock waves have been monitored.