Compact explosive-driven generator of primary power based on a longitudinal shock wave demagnetization of hard ferri- and ferromagnets

A new type of compact explosive-driven generator of primary power, which utilizes phenomena of a shock wave demagnetization of hard ferri- and ferromagnets, was developed. The shock wave initiated by high explosive, as well as accelerated flyer plate, passes along the hard ferri- or ferromagnetic body, which serves as initial energy carrier. The shock wave demagnetizes the energy-carrying element, reducing the initial magnetic flux /spl Phi//sub 0/. In accordance with Faraday's law, this change of magnetic flux /spl Delta//spl Phi//sub 0/ generates an electromotive force in a coil wound on the energy carrier. Several types of compact generators with energy-carrying element of 10 cm/sup 3/ in volume were explored. High-voltage generators that utilize energy of BaFe/sub 12/O/sub 19/ hard ferrimagnets are capable of producing pulses of amplitude 5.5 kV with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 1 /spl mu/s. The generators that utilize energy of Nd/sub 2/Fe/sub 14/B high-energy hard ferromagnets are capable of producing pulses with amplitude more than 10 kV and FWHM about 4 /spl mu/s. The high-current generators based on Nd/sub 2/Fe/sub 14/B produced pulses yielded 826 A and FWHM of 180 /spl mu/s. The developed generator can be used as the most reliable and effective source of primary power capable of seeding magnetocumulative generators.

I. Introduction

The generation of pulsed power is critical to the success of many scientific and engineering projects. Explosive-driven magnetocumulative generators (MCGs) can be considered as the most effective compact pulsed-power sources [1]. All types of MCG need primary power to create a seed-magnetic field in the operating volume. The traditional method to create a seed-magnetic field in an MCG is to discharge the capacitor bank into the MCG coil. This requires batteries as primary energy storage, a charging circuit to charge the capacitor bank, the capacitor bank, and a switch [1]. Replacing all these devices by an explosive-driven generator of primary power can make pulsed-power systems smaller, lighter, and more reliable in the operation.