Accession Number:

AD0258763

Title:

MAGNETIC IGNITION OF PULSED GAS DISCHARGES IN AIR OF LOW PRESSURE IN A COAXIAL PLASMA GUN

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON D C

Personal Author(s):

• THOM,KARLHEINZ
• NORWOOD,JOSEPH JR.

Report Date:

1961-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

1.0

Abstract:

The effect of an axial magnetic field on the breakdown voltage of a coaxial system of electrodes was investigated. For low values of gas pressure times electrode spacing, the breakdown voltage is decreased by the application of the magnetic field. The electron cyclotron radius now assumes the role held by the mean free path in nonmagnetic discharges and the breakdown voltage becomes a function of the magnetic flux density. The dependence of the formative time lag as a function of the magnetic flux density is established and the feasibility of using a magnetic field for igniting high-voltage, high-current discharges is shown through theory and experiment. With a 36 microfarad capacitor bank charged to 48,000 volts, a peak current of 1.3 x 10 to the 6th power amperes in a coaxial type of plasma gun was achieved with a current rise time of only 2 microseconds. Author

Descriptors:

• *GAS DISCHARGES
• *IGNITION
• *PLASMA JETS
• CAPACITORS
• COAXIAL CABLES
• ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
• ELECTRIC PROPULSION
• ELECTRODES
• ELECTRON GUNS
• ELECTRONS
• HELIXES
• IONS
• MAGNETIC FIELDS
• MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
• NUCLEAR PROPULSION
• PLASMAS(PHYSICS)
• PULSE GENERATORS
• SPACE CHARGE
• SWITCHING CIRCUITS

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE