U.S./Russian collaboration in high-energy-density physics using high-explosive pulsed power: Ultrahigh current experiments, ultrahigh magnetic field applications, and progress toward controlled thermonuclear fusion
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
- All-Russian Scientific Research Inst. of Experimental Physics, Sarov (Russian Federation)
A collaboration has been established between the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics (VNIIEF) and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). In 1992, when emerging governmental policy in the US and Russia began to encourage lab-to-lab interactions, the two institutes quickly recognized a common interest in the technology and applications of magnetic flux compression, the technique for converting the chemical energy released by high-explosives into intense electrical pulses and intensely concentrated magnetic energy. In a period of just over three years, the two institutes have performed more than fifteen joint experiments covering research areas ranging from basic pulsed power technology to solid-state physics to controlled thermonuclear fusion. Using magnetic flux compression generators, electrical currents ranging from 20 to 100 MA were delivered to loads of interest in high-energy-density physics. A 20-MA pulse was delivered to an imploding liner load with a 10--90% rise time of 0.7 {micro}s. A new, high-energy concept for soft X-ray generation was tested at 65 MA. More than 20 MJ of implosion kinetic energy was delivered to a condensed matter imploding liner by a 100-MA current pulse. Magnetic flux compressors were used to determine the upper critical field of a high-temperature superconductor and to create pressure high enough that the transition from single particle behavior to quasimolecular behavior was observed in solid argon. A major step was taken toward the achievement of controlled thermonuclear fusion by a relatively unexplored approach known in Russia as MAGO (MAGnitnoye Obzhatiye, or magnetic compression) and in the US as MTF (Magnetized Target Fusion). Many of the characteristics of a target plasma that produced 10{sup 13} fusion neutrons have been evaluated. Computational models of the target plasma suggest that the plasma is suitable for subsequent compression to fusion conditions by an imploding pusher.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 596752
- Journal Information:
- IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol. 25, Issue 6; Other Information: PBD: Dec 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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