THE ENERGY-BALANCE IN THE PLASMA OF A COAXIAL PLASMA OPENING SWITCH

The two-dimensional energy flow in the plasma of a coaxial plasma open ing switch (POS), during the Hall-induced shock penetration of a magne tic field, is analyzed. The electron collisionality is assumed to be h igh enough that the dissipated magnetic-field energy becomes electron thermal energy. It is shown that that part of the magnetic-field energ y (a third) that is dissipated at the cathode at the generator side of the plasma, becomes an electron kinetic energy, that is convected alo ng the current channel. It is also shown that in the magnetized plasma magnetic-field energy flows backwards towards the generator. The thir d new result is that inside the shock front, electron thermal energy i s converted into magnetic-field energy, contrary to the usual situatio n in shock waves in which field energy is converted into particle ther mal energy. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.