Optimization of [ital K]-shell emission in aluminum [ital z]-pinch implosions: Theory versus experiment
- Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375 (United States)
- Naval Surface Warfare Center, White Oak, Silver Spring, Maryland 20903 (United States)
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 (United States)
- Physics International Co., San Leandro, California 94577 (United States)
Two sets of [ital z]-pinch experiments were recently completed at the Saturn and Phoenix facilities of Sandia National Laboratories and the Naval Surface Warfare Center, respectively, using aluminum wire arrays of different wire and array diameters. Measurements of the total x-ray yield from the [ital K] shell of aluminum were made. In this paper, a comparison of these measurements is made to both theoretical predictions and to a similar set of earlier measurements that were made at the Double Eagle facility of Physics International Company. These three sets of yield measurements have points of agreement with predicted yields and with each other, but they also show points of mutual disagreement, whose significance is discussed. The data are analyzed using a slightly revised version of a previously published [ital K]-shell yield scaling law, and they support the existence of a reasonably well defined region in (load mass)--(implosion velocity) space in which plasma kinetic energy is efficiently converted into [ital K]-shell x rays. Furthermore, a correlation is observed between the inferred conversion efficiencies and the times in which the implosions occur relative to the times when each generator's short-circuit current reaches its peak value. Finally, unlike the Double Eagle experiments, the largest measured yields in the new experiments were observed to occur at the upper velocity boundary of the efficient emission region. Moreover, the observed yields are in fairly good quantitative agreement with an earlier scaling law prediction of the maximum [ital K]-shell x-ray yield from aluminum as a function of load mass assuming kinetic energy conversion alone.
- OSTI ID:
- 7155390
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States) Vol. 50:3; ISSN PLEEE8; ISSN 1063-651X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
700320 -- Plasma Diagnostic Techniques & Instrumentation-- (1992-)
700412* -- Magnetic Confinement Devices-- (1992-)
ALUMINIUM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CONFINEMENT
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
IMPLOSIONS
K SHELL
KINETIC ENERGY
METALS
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
OPTIMIZATION
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
WIRES
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS