Jy. Zou et al., Investigations on magnetic field in the interface regions between plasma armature and rail electrodes in a railgun, IEEE MAGNET, 35(1), 1999, pp. 65-67
The key to controlling rail ablation lies in the interface regions between
plasma armature and rails. The distribution of plasma in this region is aff
ected by many factors, the magnetic field being the dominant one. In this p
aper, we analyze the magnetic field generated by rails and plasma armature
in the interface regions, study the pattern and distribution of plasma near
the interface and show the affect of magnetic field on plasma distribution
and on the energy input to the rails. In order to reduce the initial ablat
ion of the rail, we designed magnetic field coils outside the beginning par
t of the rails of our railgun. The coils enhance the initial magnetic field
and increase the uniformity of the current distribution in the rails. Base
d on results from experiments and theoretical analysis, we propose a reason
able configuration of magnets and plasma armature.