On analysis of physical processes on the electrode surface in a rail launcher
A. G. Anisimov, A. D. Matrosov, G. A. Shvetsov
Lavrent'ev Institute of Hydrodynamics, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090
Pages: 375-379
Abstract
This paper analyzes some physical
effects that occur on the electrode
surface in plasma-armature rail
launchers when the linear current
density is higher than critical value.
It is shown that under typical
experimental conditions, Rayleigh–Taylor
and Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities and
magnetohydrodynamic instabilities,
which arise from the interaction of the
current with the self-magnetic field,
can develop over times much smaller than
the launcher operation time and can be
responsible for the entry of the
electrode material into the discharge.
Flash radiography of the electrode
surface confirmed the presence of
inhomogeneities and ejection of the
material from the surface. Under certain
conditions, the emergence of conducting
metal jets from the electrode surface
was detected.
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