Investigation of the near-surface matter density radial distribution in the skin explosion of cylindrical conductors

Investigations of the near-surface plasma formation process during skin explosion of cylindrical duralumin and copper conductors in rapidly increasing magnetic fields with their induction up to 500 T were carried out. The formation of plasma on the conductor surface was recorded by its glow in the visible range using a four-frame optical camera with an exposure time of each frame of 3 ns. The internal structure of the surface plasma, the assessment of the density of matter in it and its radial distribution were investigated using radiography pictures obtained by X-ray transmission with hv > 0.8 keV, which is formed at the “hot point” of the X-pinch. The dependences of the load substance density on its radius were determined and constructed from the obtained X-ray diffraction patterns at different points in time from the beginning of the current. So at 216 ns at a radius of 1.8 mm of a duralumin conductor with an initial radius of 1.485 mm, the density of the substance is estimated to be 0.0068 g/cm3.

The initial stage of the plasma formation at skin explosion of cylindrical conductors

The formation of plasma on the surface of the electrically exploded conductor is a key issue in terms of the energy introduced into the metal substance. The purpose of this work was to study the dynamics of dense plasma formation on the metal surface at magnetic induction values of 200-600 T and its rising rates of (2-6) T/ns. The experiments were carried out on a terawatt MIG generator with current amplitude up to 2.5 MA and rise time of 100 ns. In experiments, skin electrical explosion of cylindrical conductors made of different materials and with different diameters was studied. The formation of plasma on the surface of the conductor was recorded using a four-frame optical camera with an exposure time of 3 ns for each frame. It was shown that when the current increases, “spots” appear on the surface of a cylindrical conductor. These spots are the centers of plasma formation. Later in the time, longitudional plasma channels were registered. In course of subsequent merging of the channels relatively uniform plasma formation occurs. The paper discusses the features of the dynamics of plasma formation as a function of the peak and the rising rate of the magnetic field induction.

Determination of the conductor resistance during their explosion in vacuum under conditions of skinning the current

The work is devoted to the investigation of the features of the conductor explosion in a vacuum under the conditions of skinning the current, and specifically, the effect of the magnetic field nonlinear diffusion wave spreading over the exploded conductor on its electrical properties. Experiments on the explosion of conductors were carried out on the IMRI-5 pulse power generator. The exploded conductor was soldered to the cathode and mechanically clamped between the plates on the anode. In the experiments, we used two types of conductors, cylindrical and flat (foils). Cylindrical conductors were of two types: copper (0.5 mm in diameter) and aluminum (0.44 mm in diameter). Foils were also of two types: copper with a thickness of 300 microns and aluminum with a thickness of 200 microns. The foil width varied from 1 to 3 mm. The length always remained 30 mm. To calculate the circuit inductance and calculate the corrections for the real conductor inductance, we used a load that was either a copper foil 600 μm thick and 1 cm wide, or a copper conductor with a diameter of 2 mm (short circuit mode).

Optimization of parameters of binary phase axicons for the generation of terahertz vortex surface plasmon polaritons on cylindrical conductors

The feasibility of generating surface plasmon polaritons carrying orbital angular momentum ("vortex plasmons") on cylindrical conductors by an end-fire coupling technique in the spectral range from 8.5 to 141 μm (~ 2-40 THz) is considered. The front face of the cylinder is illuminated by Bessel beams formed using binary spiral phase axicons, or annual vortex beams formed in the focal plane of an additional lens. Graphs are constructed that reveal the relationship between the waveguide parameters (conductor diameter, which is equal to the diameter of the illuminating beam, and the “twist” angle of the plasmon) and the axicon parameters (the ratio of the axicon period to the radiation wavelength) for the above wavelengths and topological charges of the beams ranging from 1 to 9. The results obtained indicate the possibility of conducting experiments in the long-wavelength range for modeling a plasmon multiplex communication channel.

Enhanced method for pulse skin effect calculation of cylindrical conductors

Purpose This paper aims to present a new approach to the numerical solution of skin effect integral equations in cylindrical conductors. An approximate, but very simple and accurate method for calculating the current density distribution, skin-effect resistance and inductance, in pulse regime of cylindrical conductor, having a circular or rectangular cross-section, is considered. The differential evolution method is applied for minimization of error functional. Because of its application in the practice, the lightning impulse is observed. Direct and inverse fast Fourier transform is applied. Design/methodology/approach This method contributes to increasing of correctness and much faster convergence. As the electromagnetic field components depend on the current density derivation, the proposed method gives a very accurate solution not only for current density distribution and resistance but also for field components and for internal inductance coefficients. Distribution of current and electromagnetic field in bus-bars can be successfully determined if the proximity effect is included together with the skin effect in calculations. Findings The study shows the strong influence of direct lightning strikes on the distribution of electrical current in cables used in lightning protection systems. The current impulse causes an increase in the current density at all points of the cross-section of the conductor, and in particular the skin effect on the external periphery. Based on the data calculated by using the proposed method, it is possible to calculate the minimum dimensions of the conductors to prevent system failures. Research limitations/implications There are a number of approximations of lightning strike impulse in the literature. This is a limiting factor that affects the reliability and agreement between measured data with calculated values. Originality/value In contrast with other methods, the current density function is approximated by finite functional series, which automatically satisfy wave equation and existing boundary conditions. It is necessary to minimize the functional. This approach leads to a very accurate solution, even in the case when only two terms in current approximation are adopted.