Prediction of compact explosively-driven ferroelectric generator performance

Explosively-driven ferroelectric generators are attractive as potential prime energy sources for one-time use pulsed power systems. While the output voltages of small ferroelectric discs have been shown to be on the order of the theoretical maximum values, scaling the ferroelectric to larger thicknesses has proven less successful. The primary limiting factor is how much of the ferroelectric material is compressed simultaneously. This is difficult to control for thicker ferroelectric discs or stacks of discs due to pressure pulse attenuation in the material and rarefaction waves shortening the pressure pulse. A hydrodynamic code system is utilized to calculate the temporally and spatially resolved pressure. The calculated pressure values are converted into voltage produced by the ferroelectric through an algorithm based on an empirical polarization-pressure hysteresis curve. The validity of the algorithm has been verified for PZT EC-64 with experimental data from a flyer-plate experiment reported in literature and our own experiments with the shock wave from the explosives more directly applied to the ferroelectric. Both calculations and experiments produced normalized output voltages, ranging from 1.4 to 3.4 kV/mm for 2.54 cm diameter discs. We will discuss how this pressure to voltage algorithm along with pressure simulations aided in the scaling of the amount of ferroelectric material in a generator, as well as in the design of new driver elements with the goal to increase the peak output voltage of a generator while keeping the generator compact. The calculated voltage output results are compared with experimental data of explosively-driven ferroelectric generators.