Title :
Spectroscopic investigation of the RGS-II plasma armature
Author :
Barrett, Byron D. ; Nunnally, William C. ; Bengtson, Roger D.
Author_Institution :
Appl. Phys. Electron. Res. Center, Texas Univ., Arlington, TX, USA
fDate :
1/1/1991 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A spectroscopic investigation of the plasma armature in the railgun simulator, RGS-II, is in progress. RGS-II is capable of accelerating the plasma armature to hypervelocities (⩽22 km/s) and producing armature currents up to 300 kA. The optical signal is obtained using a quartz window/fiber optic cable combination at a point 1 m from the breech. Time-resolved emission spectra are recorded using an optical multichannel analyzer spectroscopic system (OMASS). The OMASS is used to acquire spectra with integration times down to 180 ns and a wavelength range from 300 to 700 nm. A composite picture of the RGS-II plasma armature is constructed by cross correlating OMASS, B-dot, luminosity, and timing data. The initial results and a discussion of the technique is presented
Keywords :
electromagnetic launchers; plasma devices; plasma diagnostic techniques; plasma diagnostics; projectiles; pulse height analysers; spectral analysers; spectral analysis; 22000 m/s; 300 kA; 300 to 700 nm; B-dot data; RGS-II plasma armature; armature currents; fiber optic cable; luminosity; optical multichannel analyzer spectroscopic system; optical signal; quartz window; railgun simulator; spectroscopic investigation; time-resolved emission spectra; timing data; Acceleration; Optical fiber cables; Optical fibers; Optical recording; Plasma accelerators; Plasma simulation; Plasma waves; Railguns; Spectroscopy; Stimulated emission;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
