Dynamic hohlraum and ICF pellet implosion experiments on Z

• Main Authors: Nash, T.J., Derzon, M.S., Chandler, G.A., Leeper, R., Fehl, D., Lash, J., Ruiz, C., Slutz, S., Cooper, G., Seaman, J.F., McGurn, J., Lazier, S., Torres, J., Jobe, D., Gilliland, T., Mock, R., Ryan, P., Nielsen, D., Armijo, J., McKenney, J., Hawn, R., Hebron, D., Petersen, D., Bowers, R., Matuska, W.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Contracts; Copper; Drives; Laboratories; Solids; Temperature; Tungsten; US Department of Energy; Wire; Yarn
• ISSN: 0730-9244; 2576-7208
• DOI: 10.1109/PLASMA.1999.829543

Summary form only given, as follows. By stabilizing an imploding z-pinch on Z (20 MA, 100 ns) with a solid current return can and a nested wire array we have achieved dynamic hohlraum radiation temperatures over 200 eV at a diameter of approximately 1 mm. The pinch configuration yielding this temperature is a nested tungsten wire array of 240 and 120 wires at 4 and 2 cm diameters weighing 2 and 1 mg, 1 cm long, imploding onto a 5 mm diameter, 14 mg/cc cylindrical CH foam, weighing 3 mg. We have used the a single 4 cm diameter tungsten wire array to drive a 1.6 mm diameter ICF capsule mounted in a 6 mg/cc foam inside a 3 mg copper annulus at 5 mm diameter, and measured X-ray emissions indicative of the pellet implosion. Mounting the pellet in foam may have caused the hohlraum to become equator-hot. We will present results from upcoming pellet experiments in which the pellet is mounted by thread and driven by a larger diameter, 6 or 7 mm, copper annulus to improve radiation drive symmetry. We will also discuss designs for tapered foam annular targets that distort a cylindrical pinch into a quasi-sphere that will wrap around an ICF pellet to further improve drive symmetry.