Target acceleration by sub-microsecond underwater electrical explosions of wire arrays

Abstract

Experiments of a target accelerated by the shockwaves and water flow generated by underwater sub-μs timescale electrical explosion of a planar wire array are presented. The results of this experiment are compared with previous results [Maler et al., J. Appl. Phys. 129, 034901 (2021)] in which efficient target acceleration by μs-timescale underwater explosions of planar wire arrays was obtained. Although less energy is deposited into the wire array in the present experiments, the target acquires similar and even higher velocities compared to the previous research. This is considered to be associated with the higher energy density deposition rate, inducing faster radial wire expansion, and, consequently, the generation of a stronger shockwave and faster water flow behind its front.