Investigations of plasma evolution in Laser Ablation Z-Pinch Experiments using Time-Resolved Optical Spectroscopy
- Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS)
In this dissertation, investigations of the temporal evolution of magnetically driven plasmas are presented. These studies were carried at the Nevada Terawatt Facility using the Zebra pulsed-power accelerator to magnetically compress and confine a cylindrical plasma column. Important parameters needed to characterize these laboratory plasmas include magnetic field strength and orientation, as well as electron number density and temperature. To fully understand the characteristics of a plasma, accurate experimental measurement of these parameters is essential. To determine the electron temperature, the Boltzmann plot method was used. Simulated spectra from PrismSPECT were compared to experimental measurements in order to measure electron number density and temperature early in the pinched plasma formation. Simultaneously, Mach-Zehnder laser interferometry was used to provide complementary measurements of the electron number density. A novel method, streaked Zeeman-induced Magnetic Splitting optical spectroscopy, was developed to measure time- and space-resolved magnetic field strengths in these hot, dense plasmas. This technique has also been applied to diagnose the magnetic field strengths in laser ablation Z-pinch experiments, wherein a pulsed power driver pinches a laser ablated plume.
- Research Organization:
- Nevada National Security Site/Mission Support and Test Services LLC (NNSS/MSTS), North Las Vegas, NV (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-NA0003624
- OSTI ID:
- 1576996
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/NV/03624-0477
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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