First z-pinch-driven x-ray radiation shot on PBFA Z at Sandia National Laboratories
The 36-module pulsed-power generator PBFA II was modified from May to September 1996 to enable
z-pinch-driven implosions (PBFA Z). The modifications, which include new magnetically insulated transmission
lines and a new vacuum insulator stack, were designed with state-of-the-art, two-and three-dimensional
simulation codes. In the new configuration, electrical energy is coupled into the kinetic energy of a
magnetically-driven imploding plasma, formed from an annular array of wires. An intense, short pulse of soft x
rays is created when the imploding plasma stagnates on axis. The first radiation shot on PBFA Z, using a
4-cm-diameter, 2-cm-long array of 120 tungsten wires and a 74-kV electrical charge in each of the 36
modules, occurred October 2. An x-ray energy of about 0.75 MJ was measured during the 28-ns radiation
pulse. Our near-term goal on PBFA Z is to demonstrate the predicting scaling of x-ray output energy to 1.5 MJ
(compared to 0.5 MJ in soft x rays on Saturn) at full electrical charge (85 kV). Before this scaling can be
demonstrated, however, we must test the pulsed power components using successively higher voltage wire
array loads. Eventually, we will use this energetic, intense source of soft x rays to drive millimeter-scale ICF
and weapons physics experiments to high energy density for application to stockpile stewardship.
Other Reports on High Energy Density and Inertial Confinement Fusion
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