Interchange instability in finite conductivity accelerated plasma arcs

Author

Bourouis, M. ; Huerta, M.A. ; Rodriguez-Trelles, F.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Phys., Miami Univ., Coral Gables, FL, USA

Volume

29

Issue

1

fYear

1993

fDate

1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1113

Lastpage

1118

Abstract

A first-order perturbation expansion of the magnetohydrodynamic equations is used to study the growth of Rayleigh-Taylor or interchange instability in accelerated plasma arcs. The mode equation is fourth order due to the inclusion of finite conductivity. It is solved numerically to yield results that are an improvement over previous work. The growth rates are less than in the infinite conductivity model. As in previous work the growth rates in typical rail launcher situations are large enough to permit full development of the instability

Keywords

arcs (electric); electromagnetic launchers; plasma guns; plasma instability; plasma magnetohydrodynamics; Rayleigh-Taylor instability; accelerated plasma arcs; finite conductivity; first-order perturbation expansion; fourth order mode equation; interchange instability; magnetohydrodynamic equations; rail launcher; Acceleration; Conductivity; Equations; Magnetic field measurement; Magnetic fields; Magnetohydrodynamics; Physics; Plasma accelerators; Projectiles; Rails;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/20.195737

Filename

195737