skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Recent ``tandem puff-on-wire`` experiments on ACE-4

Abstract

The tandem-puff configuration is a variant on a plasma opening switch z-pinch, driven by a microsecond timescale Marx bank. Current flows in an annular-plasma column for about a microsecond and is then commutated to a central, annular-gas puff. The gas puff subsequently implodes near maximum generator current. Previously reported tandem puff experiments were configured with a single, co-axial, 25--50 micron diameter copper wire on the pinch axis. The data showed enhanced yield in the soft x-ray energy range of {approximately}1 keV which included significant Cu L-shell thermal emission. This paper will present recent results using neon gas injected by a fast valve and 11-centimeter diameter annular nozzle, imploded onto one or more central aluminum wires using load currents of over 2 megamps and implosion times in the range of 300--400 nanoseconds. The radiated spectrum is predominantly thermal K-shell radiation from both atomic species. The authors will attempt to characterize the energy transfer mechanisms relative to existing data.

Authors:
; ; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Maxwell Labs., San Diego, CA (United States)
  2. Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States). Dept. of Physics
Publication Date:
Sponsoring Org.:
Defense Nuclear Agency, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
419797
Report Number(s):
CONF-960634-
Journal ID: ISSN 0730-9244; TRN: 97:002094
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: 1996 IEEE international conference on plasma science, Boston, MA (United States), 3-5 Jun 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of IEEE conference record -- Abstracts: 1996 IEEE international conference on plasma science; PB: 324 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION; 07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCE TECHNOLOGY; LINEAR Z PINCH DEVICES; X-RAY SPECTRA; X-RAY SOURCES; LONGITUDINAL PINCH; CAPACITIVE ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT; SOFT X RADIATION; COPPER

Citation Formats

Coleman, P L, Rauch, J, Rix, W, Thompson, J, and Wessel, F J. Recent ``tandem puff-on-wire`` experiments on ACE-4. United States: N. p., 1996. Web.
Coleman, P L, Rauch, J, Rix, W, Thompson, J, & Wessel, F J. Recent ``tandem puff-on-wire`` experiments on ACE-4. United States.
Coleman, P L, Rauch, J, Rix, W, Thompson, J, and Wessel, F J. 1996. "Recent ``tandem puff-on-wire`` experiments on ACE-4". United States.
@article{osti_419797,
title = {Recent ``tandem puff-on-wire`` experiments on ACE-4},
author = {Coleman, P L and Rauch, J and Rix, W and Thompson, J and Wessel, F J},
abstractNote = {The tandem-puff configuration is a variant on a plasma opening switch z-pinch, driven by a microsecond timescale Marx bank. Current flows in an annular-plasma column for about a microsecond and is then commutated to a central, annular-gas puff. The gas puff subsequently implodes near maximum generator current. Previously reported tandem puff experiments were configured with a single, co-axial, 25--50 micron diameter copper wire on the pinch axis. The data showed enhanced yield in the soft x-ray energy range of {approximately}1 keV which included significant Cu L-shell thermal emission. This paper will present recent results using neon gas injected by a fast valve and 11-centimeter diameter annular nozzle, imploded onto one or more central aluminum wires using load currents of over 2 megamps and implosion times in the range of 300--400 nanoseconds. The radiated spectrum is predominantly thermal K-shell radiation from both atomic species. The authors will attempt to characterize the energy transfer mechanisms relative to existing data.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/419797}, journal = {},
issn = {0730-9244},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1996},
month = {Tue Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1996}
}

Conference:
Other availability
Please see Document Availability for additional information on obtaining the full-text document. Library patrons may search WorldCat to identify libraries that hold this conference proceeding.

Save / Share: