Simulating electromechanical and thermal transient response in a magnetic plasma accelerator

Model results are presented for the transient response in a magnetic-plasma accelerator. Calculations performed without correction for the magnetohydrodynamic phenomena at the rail surfaces have been used as input data for the thermal treatment, which gives the heating depth for the inner surface of the rails on interaction with the plasma piston. Allowance is made for the phase transition in the rail material and for the protective coating on the contact surfaces. Calculations are performed on an accelerator described in the foreign literature to demonstrate that the thickness of that layer and the initial speed of the body in the channel affect the thermal state of the rails and the surface melting.