High speed optical diagnostics of an exploding wire fuse for power conditioning of explosive flux compression generators

Summary form only given, as follows.This paper presents high speed optical diagnostics of an exploding wire fuse, which is used in the power conditioning system for an explosive flux compression generator. The images were taken using an IMACON high-speed camera with a gated image intensifier tube. For our measurements, the camera was operated in the high-speed multiple frame mode, yielding 10-12 sequential, 2 dimensional pictures with 100 ns between exposures. The experiments were conducted in a coaxial system with inductive energy storage. In this system, the current in the inductor is commutated into the load when the fuse opens. The experimental results from the high-speed framing camera can be related to the fuse current and other parameters such as the fuse material and give valuable insight into the current interruption process.