On Rogowski coil as a quantitative probe for current density measurements in a linear pinch

Abstract

In the diagnostics of MPD thrusters, a significant role is played by the study of the current density internal distribution. These measurements are usually carried out indirectly, employing magnetic probes, whereas Rogowski probes are considered qualitative or, at the most, semi-quantitative tools. In this work it is shown that Rogowski coil can be used as a quantitative tool for measurements of current density distribution in a linear pinch and that it gives results more accurate than those given by a magnetic probe, or, at least, comparable with them. On this basis, Rogowski coil is proposed as a diagnostic tool for current density distribution in pulsed MPD thrusters.