A theoretical model for the physical processes in the confined high pressure discharges of electrothermal launchers

Different physical processes in confined high-pressure discharges are analyzed. The energy transport inside the discharge tube yields a radial temperature profile which has sharp gradients only near the tube walls. The regime at which such discharges can operate at a steady state is determined. For a given discharge ablation rate and plasma pressure, the tube length is limited. An analytical model is developed for confined high-pressure discharges operating in a quasi-steady-state in which the resulting plasma jet characteristics are steady at hydrodynamic timescales. This model allows the calculation of all the discharge parameters, such as ablation rate plasma temperature, resistivity, density and pressure as functions of the slowly varying current and the tube dimensions. The scaling laws obtained in this model are important for determining the impedance matching between the discharge and the power source and upgrading the discharge energy in electrothermal launchers to hypervelocities. Good agreement is obtained between the analytical model and experimental results at energies up to 100 kJ