Implosion dynamics of a megampere wire-array Z-pinch with an inner low-density foam shell at the Angara-5-1 facility

Journal Article · Thu Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Plasma Physics Reports

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063780X16120011· OSTI ID:22612606

Aleksandrov, V. V. ^[1]; Bolkhovitinov, E. A. ^[2]; Grabovski, E. V.; Gritsuk, A. N.; Medovshchikov, S. F.; Oleinik, G. M. ^[1]; Frolov, I. N. ^[1]

---

1. Troitsk Institute for Innovation and Fusion Research (Russian Federation)
2. Russian Academy of Sciences, Lebedev Physical Institute (Russian Federation)

The implosion dynamics of a pinch with a highly inhomogeneous initial axial distribution of the load mass was studied experimentally. A cascade array consisting of a double nested tungsten wire array and a coaxial inner cylindrical shell located symmetrically with respect to the high-voltage electrodes was used as a load of the Angara-5-1 high-current generator. The cylindrical foam shell was half as long as the cathode− anode gap, and its diameter was equal to the diameter of the inner wire array. It is shown experimentally that two stages are typical of the implosion dynamics of such a load: the formation of two separate pinches formed as a result of implosion of the wire array near the cathode and anode and the subsequent implosion of the central part of the load containing the cylindrical foam shell. The conditions are determined at which the implosion of the central part of the pinch with the foam cylinder is preceded by intense irradiation of the foam with the soft X-ray (SXR) emission generated by the near-electrode pinches and converting it into the plasma state. Using such a load, which models the main elements of the scheme of a dynamic hohlraum for inertial confinement fusion, it is possible to increase the efficiency of interaction between the outer accelerated plasma sheath and the inner foam shell by preionizing the foam with the SXR emission of the near-electrode pinches.

• OSTI ID: 22612606
• Journal Information: Plasma Physics Reports, Vol. 42, Issue 12; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2016 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1063-780X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ANODES
CATHODES
CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
IMPLOSIONS
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
INTERACTIONS
IRRADIATION
LINEAR Z PINCH DEVICES
PLASMA SHEATH
SOFT X RADIATION