J. Maloch

Determination of the plasma cluster mass in the rail accelerator

Calculations of the plasma cluster mass when changing discharge voltage and capacity of the capacitor battery were performed. The plasma cluster mass is calculated on the basis of experimentally determined dependence of the plasma cluster path on time. Due to these results it is possible to justify the application of the “snow-plough” model to this type of the plasma accelerator.

Plasma cluster acceleration by means of external magnetic field

The possibility to employ external magnetic field for acceleration of plasma clusters is discussed in this paper both theoretically and experimentally. The optimum value of the magnetic field has been found for the “snow plough” model, in which case there is the maximum cluster acceleration. The obtained results show a real possibility of further increasing the plasma cluster velocity in the electromagnetic shock tube.

The polarization of the plasma cluster during acceleration

The polarization of the accelerated plasma cluster is examined on the basis of a simple model. The external discharging circuit is also considered, but only the conditions for constant accelerating voltage applied to parallel conductors are solved for the sake of simplicity. The case of an oscillating cluster was investigated for fixed plasma parameters. Polarization energy is not decisive but the structure of the cluster is influenced by this phenomenon. Also the impedance influence of plasma is included in the equations.

Macroscopic model of plasma accelerator

A simple macroscopic model of plasma accelerator, well describing the process of the plasma cluster acceleration in the accelerator and being directly derived from the physical principles of activity of the accelerator performance, is presented in the present paper.

AN ESCAPE OF FAST ELECTRONS FROM A PLASMA CLUSTER IN SUBCRITICAL ELECTRIC FIELD

A behaviour of electrons with high initial thermal velocities in plasma clusters is discussed in the paper. These electrons from the tail of the Maxwell velocity distribution can be accelerated into considerable energies by means of an external electric field. Both numerical and analytical estimates of the energy of the escaping electrons and an estimate of the total energy transferred by the electrons from the cluster are treated in the paper. The calculations are performed for a situation usual in coaxial and rail accelerators of the plasma clusters.

The polarization of the plasma cluster in a rail plasma accelerator

In a rail plasma accelerator a polarization of the plasma cluster can occur. The electrons outrun the ions and so a polarization field arises. Some part of energy from the condenser battery corresponds to this field. Simple relations for the maximum polarization length and the polarization energy are derived under conditions of constant cross section area of the plasma cluster and negligible internal magnetic field.

Three-rails accelerator in one plasma cluster regime

The construction of the three-rails accelerator working in the one plasma cluster regime together with its basic parameters the dependences of the plasma cluster path, velocity, acceleration and mass on time is given in this paper. On the base of the obtained results it is possible to determine the optimum length of the accelerator.

Use of magnetic probes for diagnostics of pulse plasma

Results of the measurement of proper magnetic field of a plasma cluster and of the distribution of current density in the cluster are given in this paper. The disturbances introduced into plasma by a probe are analysed and the applicability of internal magnetic probe is verified. The construction of probe is described.

A study of the velocity relations in the rail-accelerator without an external magnetic field

The experimental results of the measurement of the plasma cluster velocity in the rail-accelerator and their theoretical analysis are presented in this paper. The experimental set-up with simple pulse electromagnetic valve enabling to strike a discharge is described here. The dependences of the plasma cluster velocity on the voltags between electrodes and on different capacitances of the condenser battery are studied.

The temperature and pressure in the plasma parallel plate accelerator

This paper presents the results of plasma temperature and pressure calculations in the parallel plate accelerator during the accelerating process. The plasma pressure is calculated by means in Daltons law.