Laboratory Simulation for POS Explosive Experiments

Laboratory facility GITaRa-4 was put into operation for development of plasma current opening switch used in experiments with MCG powering on the program [1]. Capacitor storage, consisting of four pulsed current generators of 8 muF each and composite cable line, is used as a current source. Short circuit current is about 1.7 MA at rise time of 2.5 mus. Works on experimental development of plasma opening switch of megampere level with rise time of ~1 mus are started. To recalculate results of laboratory development for conditions of explosive experiments we have created and calibrated for well-known experimental data two- dimensional numerical method for POS operation in the framework of two-temperature Hall MHD model.

I. INTRODUCTION

In the framework of the program on creation of high-power generators of electro-magnetic pulses [1], powered from magneto-cumulative generators (MCG) we have designed a plasma opening switch device (POS). Selected direction includes a number of peculiarities, differentiating this direction from POS in American (ACE 4, DECADE) and Russian (GIT) facilities. These peculiarities are: method of POS plasma layer formation (use of non-traditional plasma injectors), small axial length of plasma layer at one order higher plasma density. Novelty stipulates step-by-step development. The 1^ststep - ensuring conductivity of megampere currents through POS plasma layer. The 2^nd step - obtaining of current breaking regime (POS resistance jump). The 3^rd step - switching of the current to a load. Results of preliminary investigations of gas-plasma injectors, developed for this facility, were reported in [2]. At the same paper it was reported on possibility of current transmission up to 400 kA through plasma layer, formed with this injector. The first series of explosive experiments, where we demonstrated possibility of 2 MA current transmission through the plasma layer, preliminary formed in vacuum chamber [3], were carried out. To perform studies of plasma current opening switch in current breaking phase, surpassing explosive experiments, we have developed laboratory facility GITaRa-4. In this paper we describe this facility and present results of the first investigations with POS.