Dynamics of micropinches in exploding wire and vacuum spark plasmas

A. Robledo-Martínez, J. L. Hernández-Ávila, F. Espino

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A vacuum spark develops in the metallic vapor emitted by the electrodes. The plasma thus created experiences contractions that originate plasma points or micropinches. We report here an investigation into the dynamics of these both in the vacuum spark and the exploding wire. A fast, 2 kJ generator was used for the experiments. The diagnostics employed include optical frame and streak photography, time-resolved filtered X-ray detection and pinhole X-ray photography. The results obtained indicate that there is a substantial amount of pinching, some of it producing X-radiation. The energy of the X-rays tend to be rather soft and no characteristic lines were detected, even when swapping electrodes, which are made of dissimilar material. This demonstrates that radiative collapse is not attained at this type of energy and that for this type of experiments it is irrelevant what metallic vapors initiate the vacuum arc.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPPPS 2001 - Pulsed Power Plasma Science 2001
EditorsRobert Reinovsky, Mark Newton
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages788-791
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)0780371208, 9780780371200
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
Event28th IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science and 13th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference, PPPS 2001 - Las Vegas, United States
Duration: 17 Jun 200122 Jun 2001

Publication series

NamePPPS 2001 - Pulsed Power Plasma Science 2001
Volume1

Conference

Conference28th IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science and 13th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference, PPPS 2001
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLas Vegas
Period17/06/0122/06/01

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