TY - GEN
T1 - Hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic modeling of exploding wires in opening switch type operation
AU - Stephens, J.
AU - Dickens, J.
AU - Neuber, A.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Exploding wires (EWs) are subjected to high current densities of the order of 107 A/cm2 inducing metal vaporization and plasma formation on a microsecond timescale. Single strand EWs, silver and copper, are tested in gaseous media from atmospheric pressure to 790 kPa. To theoretically predict EW behavior, one-dimensional, radially directed cylindrical, Lagrangian coordinate hydrodynamic (HD) and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models are applied. Such models require accurate material equation-of-state (EOS) and electrical conductivity data throughout the temperature density range experimentally achieved (ρ = 0.1-10 gm/cm3 and T = 300-20,000 K). In this study, the Lee-More-Desjarlais (LMD) conductivity, and its quantum molecular dynamic modification (QLMD) are used. The Los Alamos National Laboratory SESAME database is employed as EOS parameter input. When utilized as an opening switch the metal plasma is exposed to higher electric fields, atypical to traditional exploding wire experiments. Recent studies have shown that the behavior of the strongly coupled plasma in such conditions is reasonably well modeled assuming a semi-empirical electron impact ionization process. The HD and MHD based models are benchmarked against experimental data to confirm their accuracy for predicting the behavior of EWs in an opening switch type operation.
AB - Exploding wires (EWs) are subjected to high current densities of the order of 107 A/cm2 inducing metal vaporization and plasma formation on a microsecond timescale. Single strand EWs, silver and copper, are tested in gaseous media from atmospheric pressure to 790 kPa. To theoretically predict EW behavior, one-dimensional, radially directed cylindrical, Lagrangian coordinate hydrodynamic (HD) and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models are applied. Such models require accurate material equation-of-state (EOS) and electrical conductivity data throughout the temperature density range experimentally achieved (ρ = 0.1-10 gm/cm3 and T = 300-20,000 K). In this study, the Lee-More-Desjarlais (LMD) conductivity, and its quantum molecular dynamic modification (QLMD) are used. The Los Alamos National Laboratory SESAME database is employed as EOS parameter input. When utilized as an opening switch the metal plasma is exposed to higher electric fields, atypical to traditional exploding wire experiments. Recent studies have shown that the behavior of the strongly coupled plasma in such conditions is reasonably well modeled assuming a semi-empirical electron impact ionization process. The HD and MHD based models are benchmarked against experimental data to confirm their accuracy for predicting the behavior of EWs in an opening switch type operation.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84888609942&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/PPC.2013.6627706
DO - 10.1109/PPC.2013.6627706
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84888609942
SN - 9781467351676
T3 - Digest of Technical Papers-IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference
BT - 2013 19th IEEE Pulsed Power Conference, PPC 2013
Y2 - 16 June 2013 through 21 June 2013
ER -