Hydromagnetic Capacitor

Abstract

Very high dielectric constants can easily be achieved by means of an ionized gas in a strong magnetic field. When an orthogonal electric field is applied, the resultant particle drift stores electrical energy. In a coaxial capacitor, which makes use of a rotating plasma disk, dielectric constants in the range 106 to 108 have been measured. The potential usefulness of hydromagnetic capacitors in fast-discharge work is considered.