RAPID COMPRESSION HEATING OF A PLASMA IN THE LINEAR Z-PINCH
The electrical characteristics of discharges with high and low initial rates of curnsnt rise are briefly described. The electrical measurements were used to determine the work done on the plasma by rapid compression. The particle ard magnetic energy in the discharge are discussed for both high and low initial rates of current rise (dI/dt (0)) and for discharges with and without an axial magnetic field (H/sub 2/). It is shown that the gas is heated much more efficisntly both with and without H/sub 2/, at high dI/dt (0). For dI/dt (0) - 1.5- 1O/sup 1/2/sup >/amp/sec (H, = 0) 15% of the initial bank energy goes into heating the gas and 10% into the magnetic field at the first maximum contraction; for dI/dt approximately 1O/sup 11/ amp/sec (H/sub z/, = 0) 11% goes into the field and only 6.5% into the gas at this time. The energy input to the gas was found to become limited well before peak current, and the initial implosion was not followed by much of the subsequent isentropic compression heating which might be expected, so that the temperature never exceeded about 3OO ev; it follows that most of the obserwed neutron yield ( approximately 10/sup 6/) was not thermonuclear. Data obtained from the electrical waveforms and from high-speed photographs are presented ard analyzed, and it is shown that large currents build up outside the central plasma column after the first maximum contraction. Further evidence suggested that these currents flow in wall material boiled off by radiation from the central column. These wall effects accounted for the absence of further isentropic compression heating ard also contaminated the central plasma column; they were such as to prevent any significant gain in heating by increasing the power input to the discharge. It was concluded that similar effects probably account for the failure to achieve a thermonuclear temperature in many highpower pinch experiments. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston, Berks., Eng.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-012352
- OSTI ID:
- 4069322
- Journal Information:
- Nuclear Fusion, Journal Name: Nuclear Fusion Vol. Vol: 1
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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