EVIDENCE FOR THE BUFFER ZONE IN A PLASMA-ACCELERATOR

The existence of an absorbing layer, or buffer zone, of weakly ionized gas between the rear of the projectile and the front of the plasma arc armature in a plasma accelerator has been postulated. In the studies reported here a technique for finding the position of the projectile as a function of time is given and compared to the plasma armature position as determined by inductive probes. Analyses of these signals provide the basis for a description of the inbore motion of the projectile with respect to the plasma arc armature. The experimental evidence appears to support the existence of a buffer zone.