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Title: Megagauss-level magnetic field production in cm-scale auto-magnetizing helical liners pulsed to 500 kA in 125 ns

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5028142· OSTI ID:1441474
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States). Laboratory of Plasma Studies
  3. Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States). Department of Physics
+ Show Author Affiliations

We present Auto-magnetizing (AutoMag) liners [Slutz et al., Phys. Plasmas 24, 012704 (2017)] are designed to generate up to 100 T of axial magnetic field in the fuel for Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion [Slutz et al., Phys. Plasmas 17, 056303 (2010)] without the need for external field coils. AutoMag liners (cylindrical tubes) are composed of discrete metallic helical conduction paths separated by electrically insulating material. Initially, helical current in the AutoMag liner produces internal axial magnetic field during a long (100 to 300 ns) current prepulse with an average current rise rate dI/dt=5 kA/ns. After the cold fuel is magnetized, a rapidly rising current (200 kA/ns) generates a calculated electric field of 64 MV/m between the helices. Such field is sufficient to force dielectric breakdown of the insulating material after which liner current is reoriented from helical to predominantly axial which ceases the AutoMag axial magnetic field production mechanism and the z-pinch liner implodes. Proof of concept experiments have been executed on the Mykonos linear transformer driver to measure the axial field produced by a variety of AutoMag liners and to evaluate what physical processes drive dielectric breakdown. Lastly, a range of field strengths have been generated in various cm-scale liners in agreement with magnetic transient simulations including a measured field above 90 T at I = 350 kA. By varying the helical pitch angle, insulator material, and insulator geometry, favorable liner designs have been identified for which breakdown occurs under predictable and reproducible field conditions.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525; 195306; 200269
OSTI ID:
1441474
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1435864
Report Number(s):
SAND-2018-1593J; 663137; TRN: US1900919
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 25, Issue 5; ISSN 1070-664X
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 10 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (5)

The generation of mega-gauss fields on the Cornell beam research accelerator journal September 2018
Enhancing performance of magnetized liner inertial fusion at the Z facility journal November 2018
Implosion of auto-magnetizing helical liners on the Z facility journal May 2019
Design of dynamic screw pinch experiments for magnetized liner inertial fusion journal October 2019
Spin-photovoltaic effects induced by the edge magnetism in a graphene nanoribbon junction journal April 2019

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