Underwater electrical wire explosion

Abstract

Electrical explosion of wires in a water medium is a promising method for generation of strong shock waves (SSW) and non-ideal plasma. Here we report on underwater electrical wire explosions (UEWE) that were investigated experimentally and using computer modeling. Micro- and nano-second time scale generators for UEWE of Cu wire and Cu wire cylindrical arrays were employed. A microsecond time scale (6 kJ stored energy, current of 300 kA, rise time of 1.2 mus) and nanosecond time scale (400 J stored energy, current of 80 kA and current rise time of 80 ns) were used in mus and ns time scale experiments, respectively. Different configurations of the single UEWE were tested to obtain maximal maximal amplitude of the generated SWW. Results of a detailed research of the radiation from the plasma formed as a result of UEWE are presented as well. It was shown also that application of underwater explosion of Cu wire arrays allows one generation of converging SSW which produces of several hundreds kbar at the axis of the SSW implosion.