X-ray results from a modified nozzle and double gas puff z pinch

Journal Article · Fri Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Journal of Applied Physics; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.348528· OSTI ID:5694054

Chang, T; Fisher, A; Van Drie, A ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, University of California, Irvine, California 92717 (US)

The nozzle and the anode of the UCI (University of California, Irvine) {ital z}-pinch facility were modified to study the influence of the anode-cathode geometrical structure on the stability of the pinch and the x-ray yield of the pinch. The anode was modified from a honey-comb to a hollow cylinder with a 4-cm diameter and a {similar to}3.5-mm wall thickness, placed 2 cm below the cathode. The cavity in the center of the cathode was enlarged from 6-mm diameter to 36 mm. The design of the cathode and the anode showed a marked improvement of the pinch stability over the previous design. Both zirconium and carbon-carbon nozzle were used for the Kr and Ne {ital z} pinches. After a few tens of shots the Zr nozzle was melted at the edge and the pinch degraded, while the carbon-carbon nozzle did not sustain any damage for more than 300 shots. Some shots showed the {ital di}/{ital dt} at the implosion is {similar to}5 times higher than the {ital di}/{ital dt} at the beginning of the discharge, this has never been obtained at UCI before. This ratio of the initial {ital di}/{ital dt} to pinch {ital di}/{ital dt} is a measure of the pinch quality. By serendipity it was found that double gas puff {ital z} pinch increased the hard x-ray ({gt}1 keV) output by about an order of magnitude. The nozzle was then modified to allow double puff operation. A 3.4-mm-diam hole was opened at the center of the nozzle and a plunger was inserted from the top to control the mass of the gas entering the hole. The diagnostics include {ital di}/{ital dt} coil, soft, and hard x-ray diodes. Soft and hard x-ray emission are both enhanced by the double gas puff {ital z} pinch.

• OSTI ID: 5694054
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics; (USA) Vol. 69:6; ISSN 0021-8979; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700108* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
CATHODES
DESIGN
ELECTRODES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUIPMENT
HARD X RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LINEAR PINCH DEVICES
LINEAR Z PINCH DEVICES
NOZZLES
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
OPERATION
PINCH DEVICES
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIATIONS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
X RADIATION
X-RAY EQUIPMENT
X-RAY SOURCES