Non-ideal flow efficiency in magnetized coaxial accelerator channels

Summary form only given. Recent results from the CPS-1 magnetized coaxial gun (MCG) experiment at NCSU demonstrate a technique for direct magnetic measurement of the local electron magnetization parameter (electron gyro-frequency normalized to the effective electron collision frequency) from which effective electron collisionality can be determined [Phys. Plas., 4 (1996) 3581]. The measurement technique also directly yields the magnetic Reynolds number without requiring independent flow measurements. From these quantities, we can infer the Morozov-Hall parameter (=ratio of the Hall to MHD terms=magnetization parameter/magnetic Reynolds number) again independent of flow measurements. Experimental results and non-ideal MHD modeling allow a more complete description of flow efficiency including resistive, magneto-resistive, and Hall losses. Improvements to earlier flow models include several important aspects of ion dynamics; high ion beta, radial ion losses, self-formed constrictions, ... Interestingly, in the presence of strong non-ideal mechanisms, the flow behaves nearly ideally. Experimental evidence and theoretical arguments will be presented for the competing and canceling influences of non-ideal effects.