Stabilization of Liner Implosions via a Dynamic Screw Pinch.

Magnetically driven implosions are susceptible to magnetohydrodynamic instabilities, including the magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability (MRTI). To reduce MRTI growth in solid-metal liner implosions, the use of a dynamic screw pinch (DSP) has been proposed [P. F. Schmit et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 205001 (2016)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.117.205001]. In a DSP configuration, a helical return-current structure surrounds the liner, resulting in a helical magnetic field that drives the implosion. Here, we present the first experimental tests of a solid-metal liner implosion driven by a DSP. Using the 1-MA, 100-200-ns COBRA pulsed-power driver, we tested three DSP cases (with peak axial magnetic fields of 2 T, 14 T, and 20 T) and a standard z-pinch (SZP) case (with a straight return-current structure and thus zero axial field). The liners had an initial radius of 3.2 mm and were made from 650-nm-thick aluminum foil. Images collected during the experiments reveal that helical MRTI modes developed in the DSP cases, while nonhelical (azimuthally symmetric) MRTI modes developed in the SZP case. Additionally, the MRTI amplitudes for the 14-T and 20-T DSP cases were smaller than in the SZP case. Specifically, when the liner had imploded to half of its initial radius, the MRTI amplitudes for the SZP case and for the 14-T and 20-T DSP cases were, respectively, 1.1±0.3 mm, 0.7±0.2 mm, and 0.3±0.1 mm. Relative to the SZP, the stabilization obtained using the DSP agrees reasonably well with theoretical estimates.

The generation of mega-gauss fields on the Cornell beam research accelerator.

Intense magnetic fields modify quantum processes in extremely dense matter, calling for precise measurements in very harsh conditions. This endeavor becomes even more challenging because the generation of mega-gauss fields in a laboratory is far from trivial. This paper presents a unique and compact approach to generate fields above 2 MG in less than 150 ns inside a volume on the order of half a cubic centimeter. Magnetic insulation, keeping plasma ablation close to the wire surface, and mechanical inertia, limiting coil motion throughout the current discharge, enable the generation of intense magnetic fields where the shape of the conductor controls the field topology with exquisite precision and versatility, limiting the need for mapping magnetic fields experimentally.

Technique for insulated and non-insulated metal liner X-pinch radiography on a 1 MA pulsed power machine.

Broadband, high resolution X-pinch radiography has been demonstrated as a method to view the instability induced small scale structure that develops in near solid density regions of both insulated and non-insulated cylindrical metallic liners. In experiments carried out on a 1-1.2 MA 100-200 ns rise time pulsed power generator, µm scale features were imaged in initially 16 µm thick Al foil cylindrical liners. Better resolution and contrast were obtained using an X-ray sensitive film than with image plate detectors because of the properties of the X-pinch X-ray source. We also discuss configuration variations that were made to the simple cylindrical liner geometry that appeared to maintain validity of the small-scale structure measurements while improving measurement quality.

Two dimensional triangulation of breakdown in a high voltage coaxial gap.

We describe a technique by which magnetic field probes are used to triangulate the exact position of breakdown in a high voltage coaxial vacuum gap. An array of three probes is placed near the plane of the gap with each probe at 90° intervals around the outer (anode) electrode. These probes measure the azimuthal component of the magnetic field and are all at the same radial distance from the cylindrical axis. Using the peak magnetic field values measured by each probe, the current carried by the breakdown channel, and Ampères law we can calculate the distance away from each probe that the breakdown occurred. These calculated distances are then used to draw three circles each centered at the centers of the corresponding magnetic probes. The common intersection of these three circles then gives the predicted azimuthal location of the center of the breakdown channel. Test results first gathered on the coaxial gap breakdown device (240 A, 25 kV, 150 ns) at the University of California San Diego and then on COBRA (1 MA, 1 MV, 100 ns) at Cornell University indicate that this technique is relatively accurate and scales between these two devices.

Quasimonochromatic x-ray backlighting on the COrnell Beam Research Accelerator (COBRA) pulsed power generator.

Monochromatic x-ray backlighting has been employed with great success for imaging of plasmas with strong self-emission such as x-pinches and wire array z-pinches. However, implementation of a monochromatic backlighting system typically requires extremely high quality spherically bent crystals which are difficult to manufacture and can be prohibitively expensive. Furthermore, the crystal must have a direct line of sight to the object, which typically emits copious amounts of radiation and debris. We present a quasimonochromatic x-ray backlighting system which employs an elliptically bent mica crystal as the dispersive element. In this scheme a narrow band of continuum radiation is selected for imaging, instead of line radiation in the case of monochromatic imaging. The flat piece of mica is bent using a simple four-point bending apparatus that allows the curvature of the crystal to be adjusted in situ for imaging in the desired wavelength band. This system has the advantage that it is very cost effective, has a large aperture, and is extremely flexible. The principles of operation of the system are discussed and its performance is analyzed.

Axial x-ray backlighting of wire-array Z-pinches using X pinches.

For the first time, a geometry has been developed to allow for an axial imaging system for wire-array Z-pinch experiments that produce high-resolution x-ray images. The new geometry required a significant redesign of the electrode hardware. Calibrated areal density measurements of the Z-pinch plasma including wire cores, coronal plasma, streaming plasma, and the precursor were obtained. The system used eight-wire molybdenum (Mo) X pinches in series with and directly below the Z-pinch axis to provide micron-scale x-rays sources for point-projection radiography. The images formed on the x-ray sensitive film had a 15 mm diameter field of view at the center height of the array and a magnification of about 7.5:1. Titanium (Ti) filters in front of the film transmitted radiation in the spectral range of 3-5 keV. For calibration, a separate film with the same thickness Ti filter was placed the same distance from the X pinch. This film had an unobstructed path that bypasses the Z-pinch but included step wedges for calibration of the Z-pinch plasma. The step wedges had thicknesses of tungsten (W) ranging from 0.015 to 1.1 microm to obtain areal density measurements of the W plasma from the wire-array. Images had subnanosecond temporal resolution and about 10 microm spatial resolution.

A 1 MA, variable risetime pulse generator for high energy density plasma research.

COBRA is a 0.5 Omega pulse generator driving loads of order 10 nH inductance to >1 MA current. The design is based on independently timed, laser-triggered switching of four water pulse-forming lines whose outputs are added in parallel to drive the load current pulse. The detailed design and operation of the switching to give a wide variety of current pulse shapes and rise times from 95 to 230 ns is described. The design and operation of a simple inductive load voltage monitor are described which allows good accounting of load impedance and energy dissipation. A method of eliminating gas bubbles on the underside of nearly horizontal insulator surfaces in water was required for reliable operation of COBRA; a novel and effective solution to this problem is described.