T. A. Shelkovenko

Effect of discrete wires on the implosion dynamics of wire array Z pinches

A phenomenological model of wire array Z-pinch implosions, based on the analysis of experimental data obtained on the mega-ampere generator for plasma implosion experiments (MAGPIE) generator [I. H. Mitchell et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 67, 1533 (1996)], is described. The data show that during the first ∼80% of the implosion the wire cores remain stationary in their initial positions, while the coronal plasma is continuously jetting from the wire cores to the array axis. This phase ends by the formation of gaps in the wire cores, which occurs due to the nonuniformity of the ablation rate along the wires. The final phase of the implosion starting at this time occurs as a rapid snowplow-like implosion of the radially distributed precursor plasma, previously injected in the interior of the array. The density distribution of the precursor plasma, being peaked on the array axis, could be a key factor providing stability of the wire array implosions operating in the regime of discrete wires. The modified “initial...

Radiographic and spectroscopic studies of X-pinch plasma implosion dynamics and x-ray burst emission characteristics

Experimental results are presented from studies of the dynamics of X-pinch plasmas, formed using two fine wires that cross and touch at a single point (in the form of an X) as the load of a high current pulser. High-resolution (sub-ns in time and 2–3 μm in space) x-ray radiographs of X pinches driven by current pulses that rise to 200–250 kA peak current in 40 ns show that ⩽300 μm long Z pinches form in the region of the original wire cross-point a few ns prior to the first sub-ns intense x-ray bursts that are characteristic of an X pinch. The Z pinches implode to ⩽10 μm diam and then appear to develop gaps in the radiographic images in one or two places, coincident in time with the x-ray burst(s). The emission spectra of the intense x-ray bursts from different wire materials indicate electron temperatures of 500–1300 eV and densities in excess of 1022/cm3.

Experiments measuring the initial energy deposition, expansion rates and morphology of exploding wires with about 1 kA/wire

Wire-array Z-pinch implosion experiments begin with wire heating, explosion, and plasma formation phases that are driven by an initial 50–100 ns, 0–1 kA/wire portion of the current pulse. This paper presents expansion rates for the dense, exploding wire cores for several wire materials under these conditions, with and without insulating coatings, and shows that these rates are related to the energy deposition prior to plasma formation around the wire. The most rapid and uniform expansion occurs for wires in which the initial energy deposition is a substantial fraction of the energy required to completely vaporize the wire. Conversely, wire materials with less energy deposition relative to the vaporization energy show complex internal structure and the slowest, most nonuniform expansion. This paper also presents calibrated radial density profiles for some Ag wire explosions, and structural details present in some wire explosions, such as foam-like appearance, stratified layers and gaps.

Point-projection x-ray radiography using an X pinch as the radiation source

Using an X pinch as a source of radiation for point-projection radiography, it is possible to project a high-resolution (1–10 μm) shadow image of dense plasma or test objects onto x-ray-sensitive film. The emission characteristics of X pinches composed of a wide variety of materials have been studied using several diagnostics. The pulse duration and shape of the x-ray bursts were measured in the 1.5–6 keV band using fast diamond PCDs and an x-ray streak camera with sweep speeds as fast as 10 ns for the full sweep (3.5 cm). To investigate the line and continuum radiation emitted by the X pinches, a convex spectrograph using a mica or KAP crystal, and a spectrograph based on a spherically bent mica crystal were used. Summarizing the data, including radiography results, wires known to have slower expansion rates and high boiling temperatures (NiCr, Ti, Nb, Mo, Pd, Ta, W, and Pt) appeared to yield the smallest x-ray source sizes, i.e., gave the best spatial resolution in radiographs and provided subnanosecond...

Density measurements in exploding wire-initiated plasmas using tungsten wires

Calibrated density measurements have been obtained of the coronal plasmas around exploding 7.5–40 μm W wires carrying 15–120 kA per wire for 30–70 ns. X-ray radiographs of the exploding wire plasmas using 2.5–10 keV photons from a Mo wire X-pinch backlighter enabled measurements of areal densities of W ranging from 2×1017/cm2, equivalent to 0.03 μm of solid density W, to about 1019/cm2. The rapidly expanding (few mm/μs) coronal plasmas surrounding the slowly expanding (<1 mm/μs) residual wire cores have areal densities up to about 2×1018/cm2. Single 7.5 μm wires tested with 100 kA had as much as 90% of the initial wire material in the coronal plasma. Coronal plasma W number densities were estimated to be up to a few times 1018/cm3, while core W densities as low as a few times 1020/cm3 were observed. With linear arrays of four (eight) 7.5 μm wires carrying 30 kA (15 kA)/wire, up to 35% (25%) of the initial W wire material was in the plasma around and between the wires at 46–48 ns after the current started....

Studies of plasma formation from exploding wires and multiwire arrays using x-ray backlighting

Plasma formation from exploding individual wires and multiwire arrays, powered by a 450 kA, 100 ns pulsed power generator has been studied with x-ray direct backlighting using one or more X pinches as a source of radiation. Experiments have been carried out with many different wire materials ranging in Z from Al to Au. A point source of x rays is used to cast a shadow image of the object plasma directly on film (“point-projection” backlighting). Spatial resolution in the range 1–5 μm, and temporal resolution of 0.7–2 ns, has been achieved using 2–4 keV x rays from Mo wire X pinches. Different schemes for multiframe imaging are described. We also present observations of micron scale structure on residual dense wire cores 40–70 ns after the start of the current pulse.

Evolution of the structure of the dense plasma near the cross point in exploding wire X pinches

The dynamics of the dense plasma near the cross point of an X pinch has been investigated using 1 ns x-ray backlighting images at different moments relative to the start of 100 ns [full width at half maximum (FWHM)] 200 kA current pulses. If the two metal wires are fine enough (e.g., 10 μm W or 17.5 μm Mo) to form a pinch at the cross point, accompanied by an x-ray burst, with the available current pulse, then the images show three stages of development: a radial explosion/expansion phase; an implosion during which a dense Z pinch of 200–300 μm length forms at the cross point together with plasma jets which move axially away from that point; and a breaking up of the Z pinch, coincident in time with one or two x-ray bursts, after which a 300 μm gap opens up. For W, the backlighter minimum sensitivity is 1017/cm2 areal density, and the dense Z pinch is estimated to have a volume density close to 1021/cm3. Shock waves appear to be expanding at about 50 μm/ns from the end points of the collapsing Z pinch, whe...

Time-resolved spectroscopic measurements of ∼1 keV, dense, subnanosecond X-pinch plasma bright spots

Bright, ∼1 μm x-ray sources (micropinches) produced within exploding wire X pinches are found to be near solid density and ∼1 keV electron temperature. For example, with a Ti X pinch, a 90 ps lifetime, 1.5–1.8 keV electron temperature, ∼1023/cm3 electron density plasma was observed. These plasma characteristics were determined using time-resolved x-ray spectra produced by 2- and 4-wire X pinches and collected by an x-ray streak camera with <10 ps time resolution. Together with a spherically bent mica crystal spectrograph, the streak camera recorded the 1–10 keV radiation emitted from X pinches made from different wire materials. Some spectra were dominated by continuum and others by line radiation. Spectral features varied on time scales ranging from 10 to 300 ps, depending on the wire material. Results are presented that demonstrate the necessity of time-resolved data for determining plasma conditions from micropinch x-ray spectra.

Exploding aluminum wire expansion rate with 1-4.5 kA per wire

X-ray backlighter images (radiographs) of current-induced explosions of 12.7–25 μm diam Al wires have been used to determine the expansion rate and internal structure of the dense wire cores. The current rises to 1–4.5 kA per wire in 350 ns, but voltage and current measurements show that the energy driving the explosion is deposited resistively during the first 40–50 ns, when the current is only a few hundred amperes per wire. A voltage collapse then occurs as a result of plasma formation around the wire, effectively terminating the energy deposition in the wire core. High-resolution radiographs obtained over the next 150–200 ns show the expanding wire cores to have significant axial stratification and foamlike structures with ∼10 μm scale lengths over most of the wire length before they disappear in the expansion process. The expansion rate of the portion of the wire cores that is dense enough to be detected by radiography is 1.4–2 μm/ns commencing approximately 25 ns after the moment of the voltage coll...

Hybrid X-pinch with conical electrodes

A hybrid X-pinch configuration consisting of solid conical electrodes connected by a wire has been tested on a 45 ns risetime, 500 kA peak current pulsed power generator. Wires of different materials were loaded through holes in the cones; wire lengths were varied from 0.6 to 2 mm. Most of these hybrid X-pinches generated an intense single burst of soft x-rays and developed a single hot spot that was of micron-scale size. Hybrid X-pinches generate less hard x-ray intensity than standard X-pinches.