Time resolved plasma characterization in a long conduction time planar plasma opening switch

L. K. Adler, A. Ben Amar Baranga, J. B. Greenly, D. A. Hammer, N. Qi

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

Abstract

A planar 6-cm × 10-cm, 6-chain flashboard was powered by a 0.4-μF capacitor charged to 17 kV. Each flashboard chain was grounded through a separate 100-nH inductor to assure homogeneous discharge. This flashboard coated with graphite generates 1-2 × 1013 ions/cm3, and 3-4 eV mostly C+ and C++ plasma with a directed velocity away from the flashboard of about 10 cm/μs and a transverse spread rate of only 1.5 cm/μs. The density and temperature of the flashboard plasma were determined using spectroscopic data coupled with a collisional-radiative model. This measurement was then compared to photographs obtained with a framing camera recording all visible light in 5 ns. The flashboard source was then used in a long conduction time planar POS (plasma opening switch) experiment. Framing photographs show the presence of current as bright areas, where extra energy is dissipated by the current-carrying electron flow and shows up as light emission. First experiments conducted with a gap on only 9 mm between the planar electrodes may have been dominated by denser, colder, 'secondary' plasmas evolved from the electrodes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication91 IEEE Int Conf Plasma Sci
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Pages104
Number of pages1
ISBN (Print)0780301471
StatePublished - 1 Dec 1991
Event1991 IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science - Williamsburg, VA, USA
Duration: 3 Jun 19915 Jun 1991

Publication series

Name91 IEEE Int Conf Plasma Sci

Conference

Conference1991 IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science
CityWilliamsburg, VA, USA
Period3/06/915/06/91

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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