P.J. Laca

Radiation properties and implosion dynamics of planar and cylindrical wire arrays, asymmetric and symmetric, uniform and combined X-pinches on the UNR 1-MA zebra generator

In the following experiments, we studied implosions of different wire arrays and X-pinches produced on the 1-MA Zebra generator at the University of Nevada, Reno. Diagnostics included both spatially-resolved and time-gated X-ray imaging and spectroscopy, and laser probing. In particular, we compared planar wire arrays, to which little energy could be coupled via the conventional magnetic-to-kinetic conversion mechanism, to cylindrical wire arrays of comparable dimensions and mass. The planar wire arrays were shown to radiate much higher peak power and more energy in subkiloelectronvolt and kiloelectronvolt spectral ranges than cylindrical wire arrays. We tested the theoretical conjecture that enhanced resistivity due to the small-scale inhomogeneity of wire-array plasmas has a major effect on dynamics, energy coupling and radiation performance of wire-array Z-pinches. The study of Al, Alumel, and W cylindrical wire arrays shows a wide variety of characteristic behaviors in plasma implosions discussed hereinafter. Additional experimental results for symmetric and asymmetric, uniform stainless steel, Cu, Mo, combined Al/Mo, Mo/Al, Al/W, W/Al, and Mo/W X-pinches are also presented. New data for the total radiation yield are obtained. The planar structures of X-pinch plasma and the corresponding electron beam was observed for most of X-pinches. The generation of hot spots along original wires positions-cooler than those from the cross-wire region-and arc structures with hot spots between wires were found for X-pinches composed from Al, Cu, and W wires.

Planar Wire Array as Powerful Radiation Source

The radiative performance of Al, Ni, and W planar wire arrays, to which little energy could be coupled via the conventional magnetic-to-kinetic conversion mechanism, is investigated. However, the planar wire arrays were shown to radiate much more energy in a short intense peak than possible due to dissipation of the kinetic energy. The planar array gives the unique possibility of seeing the evolution of the small-scale inhomogeneity of wire-array plasmas during wire ablation and implosion phases and highlights the importance of the Hall plasma phenomena and their impact on the dynamics, energy coupling, and radiation performance of wire-array Z-pinches

Dynamics of conical wire array z-pinch implosions.

A modification of the wire array Z pinch, the conical wire array, has applications to the understanding of wire array implosions and potentially to pulse shaping relevant to inertial confinement fusion. Results are presented from imploding conical wire array experiments performed on university scale 1 MA generators—the MAGPIE generator (1 MA, 240 ns) at Imperial College London [I. H. Mitchell et al., Rev. Sci Instrum. 67, 1533 (1996)] and the Nevada Terawatt Facility’s Zebra generator (1 MA, 100 ns) at the University of Nevada, Reno [B. Bauer et al., in Dense Z-Pinches, edited by N. Pereira, J. Davis, and P. Pulsifer (AIP, New York, 1997), Vol. 409, p. 153]. This paper will discuss the implosion dynamics of conical wire arrays. Data indicate that mass ablation from the wires in this complex system can be reproduced with a rocket model with fixed ablation velocity. Modulations in the ablated plasma are present, the wavelength of which is invariant to a threefold variation in magnetic field strength. The ax...

Investigation of Magnetic Fields in 1-MA Wire Arrays and

A Faraday rotation diagnostic was applied for the investigation of magnetic fields in plasma of 1-MA wire arrays and X-pinches. Laser-probing diagnostics at the Zebra generator include a four-channel polarointerferometer and a four-frame shadowgraphy. The Faraday rotation diagnostic consists of shadow and Faraday channels, shearing air-wedge interferometer, and an additional schlieren channel. The implosion dynamics of the wire arrays were studied. A current in the plasma column of Al low-wire number arrays was found by the Faraday rotation diagnostic. Optical diagnostics showed a turbulent plasma and bubblelike objects in the plasma column of Al wire arrays. The Faraday rotation diagnostic demonstrated a complicated structure of magnetic fields in X-pinch plasma

X

Interferometry and two-frame schlieren imaging were used to study arc discharge evolution in a small-gap, coaxial, magnetically insulated transmission line driven by a 2-TW generator with a current pulse rise time of 70 ns. Two kinds of plasma objects were observed in experiments: plasma of arc discharges and low-density peripheral plasma. Plasma fills most of the magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL) gap in the area of the arc and produces a stripe trace of evaporated metal on the surface of electrodes. Arc discharge typically arises near the cathode. Anode plasma arises in the later stage, after which, the plasma fills the gap. A scenario of plasma evolution of the arc discharge is discussed. Low-density plasma is located in thin layers near the cathode or the anode. It plays a role in the seeding of arc discharges that grow before the closure of the gap and dissipates after the closure.

-Pinches

The dynamics of large- and small-scale plasma structures is investigated in the precursor of 1-MA wire array Z-pinches by laser probing diagnostics. It is found that plasma streams from the wires induce density perturbations in the precursor. Small-scale perturbations and large-scale cells arise in the nonlinear stage before implosion. The spatial and temporal scales of the observed structures are in agreement with the theoretical investigation for current-driven excitation of electromagnetic flute modes.

Investigation of plasma evolution in a coaxial small-gap magnetically insulated transmission line

In our experiments, we compared planar wire arrays, to which little energy could be coupled via the conventional magnetic‐to‐kinetic conversion mechanism, to cylindrical wire arrays of comparable dimensions and mass. The planar wire arrays were shown to radiate much higher peak power and more energy in sub‐keV and keV spectral ranges, than cylindrical wire arrays. We tested the theoretical conjecture that enhanced resistivity due to the small‐scale inhomogeneity of wire‐array plasmas has a major effect on dynamics, energy coupling to and radiation performance of wire‐array Z‐pinches.

Experimental Study of the Dynamics of Large- and Small-Scale Structures in the Plasma Column of Wire Array

Magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs) are commonly used for efficient power transport in the vacuum section of pulsed power devices. Plasma forming from metal surfaces limits the power transmitted to a load through MITLs. It eventually shunts the load, producing so-called MITL closure. Fundamental experiments are being performed on high intensity power transmission through coaxial cylindrical vacuum transmission lines. A current that rises to 1 MA in 100 ns is driven through the MITLs by a 2-MV, 2-/spl Omega/ pulse generator (Zebra). The condition of the MITL surfaces is carefully controlled and characterized before each shot. Differential B-dot probes measure the current before and after the MITL, to determine the time of gap closure. Optical imaging and laser diagnostics observe the plasma evolution in the gap with time and space resolution. The radial gap of the cylindrical vacuum transmission line has been systematically varied, and the time of MITL closure measured. They increase with the radial gap size in a discontinuous manner. Critical transitions (discontinuous jumps in closure time) appear to separate distinct MITL operation regimes. This is the first experiment and data set of this kind known to the authors. Electromagnetic-particle-in-cell and radiation-magnetohydrodynamic computer modeling assist the experiment, being used to refine the experimental design and to interpret the results.

Z

Flow boiling experiments with sub-cooled Isopentane and n-Pentane at 3.0bar pressure assess the utility of compressed copper- and steel-filament screen laminate surface coatings as high performance boiling surfaces. High-speed video show that at high heat flux ebullition is unsteady. Isopentane and n-Pentane are found to produce nearly identical boiling characteristic curves. At the same applied heat flux, the superheat of copper filament coatings are much smaller than the steel filament coating superheats.Copyright

-Pinches

Experimental results of studies of the 1MA symmetric and asymmetric, uniform stainless steel, Cu, Mo, combined Al/Mo, Mo/Al, Al/W, W/Al, and Mo/W X‐pinches are presented. Implosions of X‐pinches are studied by spatially‐resolved and time‐gated x‐ray imaging, spectroscopy, and laser probing diagnostics. New data for the total radiation yield are obtained. The planar‐shape structures of X‐pinch plasma and the corresponding electron beam is observed for the most of X‐pinches. The effects of generation of hot spots along original wires positions that are cooler than that from the cross‐wire region and arc structures from hot spots between wires are found for X‐pinches composed from Al, Cu and W wires.