Current and heat conduction during a pulsed electrical discharge

A technique has been developed to measure the surface temperature of an ele ctrical conductor during a pulsed electrical discharge. The technique of tw o-color interferometry (radiometry) is used to make the temperature measure ments. This article explains the technique and the issues encountered in pe rforming such measurements on a conducting rod. In addition, a theoretical model for the current and heat transport for the pulsed conductor has been developed. Predicted and experimental results are compared. The measured th ermal data support the assumption of a slightly nonuniform distribution in the current. This nonuniformity is suspected of causing the rod to fail pre maturely. Values for the resistivity and specific heat are determined for t emperatures as great as 470 degrees C. [S0021-8979(99)07219-9].