PBFA-Z radiated x-ray energy milestone achieved
On November 1, 1.6 MJ in soft x rays were produced on the PBFA-II accelerator operating in the z pinch
mode. This x-ray energy exceeded the first milestone for PBFA Z of 1.5-MJ x-ray output. The peak x-ray power
was > 110 TW, and the x-ray pulse width was ~ 8-ns full width at half maximum. This was the tenth x-ray
radiation shot in the z pinch mode. X-ray data were taken using x-ray diodes, resistive bolometers,
time-integrated and time-resolved spectrometers, and photoconducting detectors. The z-pinch load consisted of
120 tungsten wires, 10 microns in diameter, configured in a cylindrical array at a diameter of 4 cm and a length
of 2 cm. The 110-ns implosion time is longer than the 100-ns optimum predicted for PBFA Z. We anticipate
further improvement in performance as the implosion time is reduced. The design goal for PBFA Z is 1.5 MJ
and 150 TW of x-ray energy and power. This energetic, intense source of soft x rays will be used in
experiments at high energy density for ICF, weapons physics, and weapons effects applications.
Other Reports on High Energy Density and Inertial Confinement Fusion
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