Electrical conduction in exploded segmented wires

Recent work by Me-Bar and Harel, intended to characterize the conduction characteristics of exploding segmented wires, is extended. A set of experiments on conductors composed of various materials and in various geometries is undertaken. The experimental work is complemented by two-dimensional calculations in which the magnetic diffusion equation is solved for the problems at hand. Results from these calculations are used to explain the behavior observed in the experiments. It is also observed from the calculations that different results for segmented wires might be obtained if the plasma, resulting from partial explosion of the wires, is confined radially around the wire. A set of experiments to test this contention is undertaken, and produces results in good qualitative agreement with the theoretical predictions. Physical reasons for the observed behavior, as well as possible methods for ameliorating undesired effects, are indicated.