Electromagnetic-implosion generation of pulsed high-energy-density plasma
The generation of pulsed high-energy-density plasmas by electromagnetic implosion of cylindrical foils (i.e., imploding liners or hollow Z pinches) has been investigated experimentally and theoretically at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory. The experimental studies involve discharging a 1.3-..mu..sec 1.1-MJ capacitor bank through 7-cm-radius 2-cm-tall 3--30-mg cylindrical foil liners. Typical discharge parameters are 7--12-MA peak current and 1--1.5-..mu..sec current rise time. Current and voltage waveforms indicate strong coupling of the load to the capacitor bank, and analysis of the waveforms indicates good implosion of the current sheath. Optical- and magnetic-probe measurements are consistent with 1--2-cm thickness of the imploding plasma shell and with final implosion velocities approx.15--20 cm/sec. Radiation-diagnostic measurements indicate ultrasoft x-ray yields approx.50--100 kJ with the FWHM of the photon pulse approx.80--100 nsec. The radiation data is consistent with a quasiblackbody spectrum (Tapprox.30--50 eV) comprising most of the energy, with additional higher temperature and optically thin spectral components. Al/sup 11 +/ and Al/sup 12 +/ line and recombination radiation is frequently observed. Comparison of electrical, magnetic, and radiation data with one-dimensional MHD and two-dimensional MHD calculations is presented. The prospects for improving the performance with the present energy source and scaling to larger energy sources are briefly discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico 87117
- OSTI ID:
- 6812548
- Journal Information:
- J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 49:9; ISSN JAPIA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Imploding liner research at the weapons laboratory
Current delivery and radiation yield in plasma flow switch-driven implosions
Related Subjects
700106* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Production-- (-1987)
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FOILS
IMPLOSIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LINEAR PINCH DEVICES
LINEAR Z PINCH DEVICES
MAGNETIC PROBES
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PERFORMANCE
PINCH DEVICES
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA PRODUCTION
PROBES
RADIATIONS
SOFT X RADIATION
SPECTRA
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
X RADIATION
X-RAY SPECTRA