Improved Vertical Field Simulation Fidelity for the "Aurora" Gamma Ray Simulator

Scale model testing is proposed for the development of a transmission line for applying a vertical electric field that is synchronized to the AURORA radiation pulse to improve the SREMP simulation fidelity in the AURORA test cell. The scale model tests will permit more repid and affordable design changes than a full scale model so that the effects of time varying air conductivity and coupling to the conducting walls of the test cell can be better studied. Novel construction techniques are also proposed which may lead to lower cost than conventional approaches for the implementation of the transmission line scheme of U.S. patent 4,393,509 by G. Merkel and W.D. Scharf (July 12, 1983). In addition, the exploratory development of a single point initiated, field distortion, oil dielectric switch is proposed as a means to reduce the asynchronism of the four AURORA diode pulses which also affects the simulation fidelity. The Phase I effort includes the preliminary design and cost determination of the full scale system to be constructed in Phase II.