Operation of longitudinal shock wave ferroelectric generators in the resistance mode

Abstract

Results of systematic experimental investigations of operation of explosively driven longitudinal (shock wave propagates along the polarization vector P) shock wave ferroelectric generators (FEGs) with active loads varied in a wide range of resistance (more than 4 orders of magnitude) are presented. One of the specific features of FEGs is direct electrical connection of the ferroelectric energy-carrying element to the load. The ferroelectric element is always a part of the load circuit during explosive and electrical operation of the FEG. Electrical parameters of the ferroelectric element change significantly under shock wave action during operation of the generator and those changes affect the electrical parameters of the FEG-Load system. It follows from our experimental results that the output voltage, current and power produced by the FEG across the resistance load depend on both the electrical parameters of the load and geometrical dimensions of the ferroelectric energy-carrying element of the FEG. It is experimentally demonstrated that a miniature FEG is capable of delivering to the active load a pulsed power with peak amplitude up to 0.35 MW.