Characteristics of Inert-Gas Discharges During Short-Pulse Operation

摘要

Inert-gas arc discharges were investigated to determine their spectral and electrical characteristics under the conditions of short-pulse, high-current-density, repetitive operation. The gas fills used were xenon, krypton, and argon at pressures in the order of one atmosphere. The discharges were operated at current densities of up to 25,000 A/sq centimeters, corresponding to a peak power level of 45 MW. At a current density of 3,500 A/sq centimeters, the discharges show strong line radiation superimposed on the continuum, but at 25,000 A/sq centimeters the radiation is predominantly continuum. At the high current densities the properties of the various gases tested were similar. Approximately 18% of the peak input power is radiated in the band from 2250A to 10,000 A. Only 2% of the input power is radiated in the pumping bands of the Nd(3+) ion. The resistivity of the discharge at the high current density is approximately .01 ohm-cm. (Author)