One- and two-dimensional density and temperature measurements of an argon-neon Z-pinch plasma at stagnation

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.52634· OSTI ID:580008

Wong, K L; Springer, P T; Hammer, J H; Iglesias, C A; Osterheld, A L; Foord, M E; Bruns, H C; Emig, J A ^[1]; Deeney, C ^[2]

---

1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551 (United States)
2. Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 (United States)

In order to benchmark and improve current 2D radiation magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models of Z-pinch plasmas, we have performed experiments which characterize the plasma conditions at stagnation. In the experiments the SATURN pulsed power facility at Sandia National Laboratory was used to create an imploding Ar-Ne plasma. An absolutely calibrated, high resolution space- and time-resolving Johann crystal spectrometer was used to infer the electron temperature T{sub e} from the slope of the hydrogenlike Ne free-bound continuum, and the ion density n{sub i} from the Stark broadening of the Ar heliumlike Rydberg series. 2D electron temperature profiles of the plasma are obtained from a set of imaging crystals also focused on the Ne free-bound continuum. We shot two types of gas nozzles in the experiment, annular and uniform fill, which varies the amount of mass in the plasma. 2D local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and non-LTE MHD models predict a radiating region denser and cooler than measured. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratory
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000; W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 580008
• Report Number(s): CONF-961110--
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 392; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA SIMULATION
RYDBERG STATES
STAGNATION
TIME RESOLUTION