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Title: Conceptual design of a 15-TW pulsed-power accelerator for high-energy-density–physics experiments

Journal Article · · Matter and Radiation at Extremes (Online)

We have developed a conceptual design of a 15-TW pulsed-power accelerator based on the linear-transformer-driver (LTD) architecture described by Stygar [W. A. Stygar et al., Phys. Rev. ST Accel. Beams 18, 110401 (2015)]. The driver will allow multiple, high-energy-density experiments per day in a university environment and, at the same time, will enable both fundamental and integrated experiments that are scalable to larger facilities. In this design, many individual energy storage units (bricks), each composed of two capacitors and one switch, directly drive the target load without additional pulse compression. Ten LTD modules in parallel drive the load. Each module consists of 16 LTD cavities connected in series, where each cavity is powered by 22 bricks connected in parallel. This design stores up to 2.75 MJ and delivers up to 15 TW in 100 ns to the constant-impedance, water-insulated radial transmission lines. The transmission lines in turn deliver a peak current as high as 12.5 MA to the physics load. To maximize its experimental value and flexibility, the accelerator is coupled to a modern, multibeam laser facility (four beams with up to 5 kJ in 10 ns and one beam with up to 2.6 kJ in 100 ps or less) that can provide auxiliary heating of the physics load. The lasers also enable advanced diagnostic techniques such as x-ray Thomson scattering and multiframe and three-dimensional radiography. In conclusion, the coupled accelerator-laser facility will be the first of its kind and be capable of conducting unprecedented high-energy-density-physics experiments.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States). Lab. for Laser Energetics
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0001944
OSTI ID:
1476672
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1375444
Journal Information:
Matter and Radiation at Extremes (Online), Journal Name: Matter and Radiation at Extremes (Online) Vol. 2 Journal Issue: 4; ISSN 2468-080X
Publisher:
American Institute of PhysicsCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Netherlands
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 23 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (11)

Water-dielectric-breakdown relation for the design of large-area multimegavolt pulsed-power systems journal July 2006
Tungsten wire-array Z-pinch experiments at 200 TW and 2 MJ journal May 1998
Experimental configuration for isentropic compression of solids using pulsed magnetic loading journal September 2001
Development and tests of fast 1-MA linear transformer driver stages journal May 2009
Improved design of a high-voltage vacuum-insulator interface journal May 2005
Flashover of a vacuum-insulator interface: A statistical model journal July 2004
Low-inductance gas switches for linear transformer drivers journal June 2009
Pulsed-power-driven cylindrical liner implosions of laser preheated fuel magnetized with an axial field journal May 2010
New low inductance gas switches for linear transformer drivers journal August 2010
Monochromatic x-ray imaging experiments on the Sandia National Laboratories Z facility (invited) journal October 2004
Conceptual designs of two petawatt-class pulsed-power accelerators for high-energy-density-physics experiments journal November 2015

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