Puff-gas coaxial-injected electromagnetic coaxial plasma gun

Abstract

We have designed, built, and tested a pulsed gas-injection coaxial plasma gun driven by a 72-μF capacitor bank, with operating voltages of 60–80 kV (stored energy 130–230 kJ), and 1.6-MA, 1-μs rise-time current discharges. Using deuterium gas, we have obtained reliable delivery of all current to the gas and neutron yields of greater than 109. Current, voltage, inductance, and current position data are discussed and are compared with circuit solver models. Magnetic-probe and filtered scintillator photomultiplier detector array data on high-energy photon spectra were taken. A second puff-gas valve near the anode (inner electrode) axis at the muzzle end substantially improved the neutron yield.