Current initiation in low-density foam z-pinch plasmas

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1996 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1147706· OSTI ID:451899

Derzon, M S; Nash, T J; Allshouse, G O; Antolak, A J; Deeney, C; Hurst, M; McGurn, J S; Muron, D J; Seaman, J F ^[1]; MacFarlane, J ^[2]; Demiris, T; Hrubesh, L; Lewis, H; Ryutov, D ^[3]; Barber, T; Gilliland, T; Jobe, D; Lazier, S ^[4]

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1. Sandia National Laboratories, Alburquerque, New Mexico 87185-1196 (United States)
2. Fusion Technology Institute, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1687 (United States)
3. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550-0622 (United States)
4. K-tech Corp., Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87110-7403 (United States)

Low density agar and aerogel foams were tested as z-pinch loads on the Saturn accelerator to study current flow initiation. In these first experiments, we studied the initial plasma conditions by measuring the visible emission at early times with a framing camera and a streaked one-dimensional imaging system. Later, near the stagnation when the plasma is hotter, x-ray imaging and spectral diagnostics were used to characterize the plasma. Filamentation and arcing at the current contacts were observed. Bright implosion features were also observed. Increasing the early time conductivity, by coating the target with a high-z layer and by providing a low-current prepulse, is the most important factor in obtaining good coupling to the machine. None of the pinches were uniform along the z axis. The prime causes of these problems are believed to be the electrode contacts and the current return configuration. Solutions are discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 451899
• Report Number(s): CONF-960543--
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 68; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
AEROSOLS
EXPLOSIONS
FOAMS
HIGH-VOLTAGE PULSE GENERATORS
IMAGES
PINCH DEVICES
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
STREAK CAMERAS
X RADIATION
X-ray imaging
Z pinch
arcs (electric)
filamentation instability
fusion reactor ignition
fusion reactor materials
plasma transport processes