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Linear and nonlinear evolution of azimuthal clumping instabilities in a Z-pinch wire array

Physics of Plasmas

Tang, Wilkin; Strickler, T.S.; Lau, Y.Y.; Gilgenbach, R.M.; Zier, Jacob; Gomez, M.R.; Yu, Edmund Y.; Garasi, Christopher J.; Cuneo, M.E.; Mehlhorn, Thomas A.

This paper presents an analytic theory on the linear and nonlinear evolution of the most unstable azimuthal clumping mode, known as the pi-mode, in a discrete wire array. In the pi-mode, neighboring wires of the array pair-up as a result of the mutual attraction of the wires which carry current in the same direction. The analytic solution displays two regimes, where the collective interactions of all wires dominate, versus where the interaction of the neighboring, single wire dominates. This solution was corroborated by two vastly different numerical codes which were used to simulate arrays with both high wire numbers (up to 600) and low wire number (8). All solutions show that azimuthal clumping of discrete wires occurs before appreciable radial motion of the wires. Thus, absence of azimuthal clumping of wires in comparison with the wires' radial motion may imply substantial lack of wire currents. While the present theory and simulations have ignored the plasma corona and axial variations, it is argued that their effects, and the complete account of the three-dimensional feature of the pi-mode, together with a scaling study of the wire number, may be expediently simulated by using only one single wire in an annular wedge with a reflection condition imposed on the wedge's boundary. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.

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TYPE Journal Article YEAR 2007
ScopusOSTIDOI

Architecture of petawatt-class z-pinch accelerators

Physical Review Special Topics - Accelerators and Beams

Stygar, William A.; Cuneo, M.E.; Headley, D.I.; Ives, H.C.; Leeper, Ramon J.; Mazarakis, Michael G.; Olson, C.L.; Porter, J.L.; Wagoner, T.C.; Woodworth, J.R.

We have developed an accelerator architecture that can serve as the basis of the design of petawatt-class z-pinch drivers. The architecture has been applied to the design of two z-pinch accelerators, each of which can be contained within a 104-m-diameter cylindrical tank. One accelerator is driven by slow (∼1μs) Marx generators, which are a mature technology but which necessitate significant pulse compression to achieve the short pulses (1μs) required to drive z pinches. The other is powered by linear transformer drivers (LTDs), which are less mature but produce much shorter pulses than conventional Marxes. Consequently, an LTD-driven accelerator promises to be (at a given pinch current and implosion time) more efficient and reliable. The Marx-driven accelerator produces a peak electrical power of 500 TW and includes the following components: (i) 300 Marx generators that comprise a total of 1.8×104 capacitors, store 98 MJ, and erect to 5 MV; (ii) 600 water-dielectric triplate intermediate-store transmission lines, which also serve as pulse-forming lines; (iii) 600 5-MV laser-triggered gas switches; (iv) three monolithic radial-transmission-line impedance transformers, with triplate geometries and exponential impedance profiles; (v) a 6-level 5.5-m-diameter 15-MV vacuum insulator stack; (vi) six magnetically insulated vacuum transmission lines (MITLs); and (vii) a triple-post-hole vacuum convolute that adds the output currents of the six MITLs, and delivers the combined current to a z-pinch load. The accelerator delivers an effective peak current of 52 MA to a 10-mm-length z pinch that implodes in 95 ns, and 57 MA to a pinch that implodes in 120 ns. The LTD-driven accelerator includes monolithic radial transformers and a MITL system similar to those described above, but does not include intermediate-store transmission lines, multimegavolt gas switches, or a laser trigger system. Instead, this accelerator is driven by 210 LTD modules that include a total of 1×106 capacitors and 5×105 200-kV electrically triggered gas switches. The LTD accelerator stores 182 MJ and produces a peak electrical power of 1000 TW. The accelerator delivers an effective peak current of 68 MA to a pinch that implodes in 95 ns, and 75 MA to a pinch that implodes in 120 ns. Conceptually straightforward upgrades to these designs would deliver even higher pinch currents and faster implosions. © 2007 The American Physical Society.

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TYPE Journal Article YEAR 2007
ScopusOSTI

Wire initiation critical for radiation symmetry in Z-pinch-driven dynamic hohlraums

Physical Review Letters

Sanford, T.W.L.; Jennings, C.A.; Rochau, G.A.; Rosenthal, Stephen E.; Sarkisov, G.S.; Sasorov, P.V.; Stygar, William A.; Bennett, Lawrence F.; Bliss, David E.; Chittenden, J.P.; Cuneo, M.E.; Haines, M.G.; Leeper, Ramon J.; Mock, R.C.; Nash, Thomas J.; Peterson, D.L.

Axial symmetry in x-ray radiation of wire-array z pinches is important for the creation of dynamic hohlraums used to compress inertial-confinement-fusion capsules. We present the first evidence that this symmetry is directly correlated with the magnitude of the negative radial electric field along the wire surface. This field (in turn) is inferred to control the initial energy deposition into the wire cores, as well as any current shorting to the return conductor. © 2007 The American Physical Society.

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TYPE Conference YEAR 2007
ScopusOSTI

Towards a predictive MHD simulation capability for designing hypervelocity magnetically-driven flyer plates and PWclass z-pinch x-ray sources on Z and ZR

Mehlhorn, Thomas A.; Yu, Edmund Y.; Vesey, Roger A.; Cuneo, M.E.; Jones, Brent M.; Knudson, Marcus D.; Sinars, Daniel S.; Robinson, Allen C.; Trucano, Timothy G.; Brunner, Thomas A.; Desjarlais, Michael P.; Garasi, Christopher J.; Haill, Thomas A.; Hanshaw, Heath L.; Lemke, Raymond W.; Oliver, Bryan V.; Peterson, Kyle J.

Abstract not provided.

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TYPE Conference YEAR 2007
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1- and 2-frame monochromatic x-ray imaging of NIF-like capsules on Z and future higher-energy higher-resolution 2- & 4-frame x-radiography plans for ZR

Bennett, Guy R.; Campbell, David V.; Claus, Liam D.; Foresi, James S.; Johnson, Drew J.; Jones, Michael J.; Keller, Keith L.; Leifeste, Gordon T.; McPherson, Leroy A.; Mulville, Thomas D.; Neely, Kelly A.; Sinars, Daniel S.; Herrmann, Mark H.; Rambo, Patrick K.; Rovang, Dean C.; Ruggles, Larry R.; Simpson, Walter W.; Speas, Christopher S.; Wenger, D.F.; Smith, Ian C.; Cuneo, M.E.; Adams, Richard G.; Atherton, B.W.; Barnard, Wilson J.; Beutler, David E.; Burr, Robert A.

Abstract not provided.

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TYPE Conference YEAR 2006
OSTI
Results 301–325 of 365
Results 301–325 of 365