SBIR-STTR Award

The proposed effort is intended to provide in depth technological support to the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) for the interpretation and evaluation of the relation between the major pulse forming devices in the advanced pulse- power systems used in conjunction with inductive energy-storage technology. Particular emphasis in Phase I will be on the controlled electromagnetic irradiation of the plasmas within the plasma erosion opening switches (PEOS) which are key components of the advanced pulse-power systems and describing the influence of PEOS performance capabilities on x-ray simulator performance. To support this effort, we will, in Phase I, demonstrate the feasibility of using the irradiation approach to substantially enhance the parametric operational range and controllability of the PEOS through the purposeful modification of plasma velocity and temperature profiles. Phase II will include experimental electromagnetic-irradiation demonstration tests in an actual PEOS device. The success of the proposed research would have substantial applications to all present pulse-power facilities and potential future facilities such as the (Decade/RETF) x-ray simulator.