Limiting currents in the compression of magnetic flux between flat and coaxial conductors

Abstract

Experiments are described on magnetic flux compression by flat and coaxial conductors. As the initial current I0 is increased the final current I1 obtained as a result of flux compression at first increases proportionally to I0 and then reaches a maximum and remains constant for further increases in I0. Analysis of the experiments shows that in coaxial structures when a small explosive charge accelerates the conductors the limiting current is determined by the maximum work which a conductor can perform in compressing the magnetic field. In experiments with flat busbars and large explosive charges the limiting currents appear to be determined by the flux losses in short-circuited voids formed in the linking of irregular surfaces of the busbars. This assumption is shown to be in qualitative agreement with experiment.