Using the Saturn Accelerator for Isentropic Compression Experiments (ICE)
Recently an innovative technique known as the Isentropic Compression Experiment (ICE) was developed that allows the dynamic compressibility curve of a material to be measured in a single experiment. Hence, ICE significantly reduces the cost and time required for generating and validating theoretical models of dynamic material response. ICE has been successfully demonstrated on several materials using the 20 MA Z accelerator, resulting in a large demand for its use. The present project has demonstrated its use on another accelerator, Saturn. In the course of this study, Saturn was tailored to produce a satisfactory drive time structure, and instrumented to produce velocity data. Pressure limits are observed to be approximately 10-15 GPa (''LP'' configuration) or 40-50 GPa (''HP'' configuration), depending on sample material. Drive reproducibility (panel to panel within a shot and between shots) is adequate for useful experimentation, but alignment fixturing problems make it difficult to achieve the same precision as is possible at Z. Other highlights included the useful comparison of slightly different PZT and ALOX compositions (neutron generator materials), temperature measurement using optical pyrometry, and the development of a new technique for preheating samples. 28 ICE tests have been conducted at Saturn to date, including the experiments described herein.