Electrical behavior of a simple helical flux compression generator for code benchmarking

A variety of basic magnetic flux compression (MFC) generator geometries hav e been tested during the last three decades. Though size and operating regi mes differ widely, it is apparent that the helical flux compression generat or is the most promising concept with respect to current amplification and compactness. Though the geometry of the helical generator (dynamically expa nding armature in the center of a current carrying helix) seems to be basic , it turns out that the understanding of all involved processes is rather d ifficult. This fact is apparent from the present lack of a computer model t hat is solely based on physical principles and manages without heuristic fa ctors. A simple generator was designed to address flux and current losses of the h elical generator. The generator's maximum current amplitude is given as a f unction of the seed current and the resulting "seed-current" spread is comp ared to the output of state-of-the-art computer models. Temporally resolved current and current time derivative signals are compared as well. The deta iled generator geometry is introduced in order to facilitate future compute r code bench marking or development. The impact of this research on the pre sent understanding of magnetic flux losses in helical MFC generators is bri efly discussed.