Capillary discharge in the electrothermal gun

A one-dimensional model is described for calculating the properties of plasma arcs in ablating, cylindrical capillaries. The basic assumptions and governing equations are presented, and the results of some numerical solutions are discussed. These results are also compared with experimental measurements of the voltage across the arc, as well the pressure measured at a specific point in the capillary tube. The degree to which theory and experiment agree is discussed in some detail, and possible reasons for the lack of agreement, where it exists, are pointed out. Results of the calculations indicate fair agreement between theory and experiment for values of the conductance, but poor agreement between predicted and measured values of the pressure.<
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