Performance of Coaxial Plasma Gun with Various Propellants

An experimental study of a single-shot coaxial plasma gun is described. A parametric survey of the gun over the operating range is given for each of three propellants: argon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. An optimum delay time (with respect to exhaust puff energy) is described for each propellant between gas injection and bank-voltage application. Bank voltage and mass per shot were varied using the optimum delay time. Gun efficiency, system efficiency, and magnetic-front velocity in the gun were determined.