K-shell radiation physics in the ultrahigh optical depth pinches of the Z generator
- Naval Research Lab., Washington, DC (United States); and others
The 60 TW Z generator at Sandia National Laboratories is unique in its ability to strip multi-mg Al plasmas to the H- and He-like ionization stages. Such large plasma masses can produce optical depths in the principal K shell lines of 10{sup 3}. Thus, Z can serve as a unique laboratory facility at which radiation interactions and transport can be studied in a dense medium of extremely high x-ray opacity. In this talk the authors analyze data from shots in which arrays of alloy wires comprised of 95% Al and 5% Mg were imploded with a peak current of {approximately}19 MA on Z. The number of wires varied from 180 to 264, the initial array radius from 1.5 to 2.5 cm, and the mass load from 3.6 to 1.3 mg/cm. The implosion time was constant at {approximately}1ns. Total radiative yields of {approximately}1 MJ were observed, and the (Al + Mg) K shell yield increased with decreasing mass from 90 to near 200 kJ.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratory
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 346877
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-980601--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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