Wire Explosion via Electromagnetic Induction

Abstract

This research is aimed at exploding a wire via electromagnetic induction, with a preference for obtaining restrike of the exploding wire in a ring shape or otherwise. Literature on both exploding wire and electromagnetic induction are introduced together. A mathematical framework to describe the wire explosion by induction is formulated from first principles using the idea of magnetic flux linkages. The environment in which the experiments took place is described, with reference to matters of laboratory safety and also measurement of transient electrical current and voltage in the wire explosion by induction. The results describe the approaches taken to explode a wire by induction to obtain a plasma conductor. Voltage and current data are displayed and described. Throughout this work, there are long-exposure digital photographic images of the experiments taking place. These contribute to determining the outcome of experiments, and support the conclusions. Wires were exploded by induction in an air-cored mutually coupled coils system, and restrike of those wires was achieved. Electrical characteristics of wire explosion by electromagnetic induction are displayed and discussed based on what is known about straight exploding wires. Future works involving creation of plasma rings, electromagnetic thrust and exploding wires in vacuum are discussed.