First Analysis of Radiative Properties of Moderate-atomic-number Planar Wire Arrays on Zebra at UNR at Higher Current of 1.7 MA*

The analysis of implosions of Cu and Ag planar wire array (PWA) loads recently performed at the enhanced 1.7 MA Zebra generator at UNR is presented. Experiments were performed with a Load Current Multiplier with a 1cm anode-cathode gap (twice shorter than in a standard 1 MA mode). A full diagnostic set included more than ten different beam-lines with the major focus on time-gated and time-integrated x-ray imaging and spectra, total radiation yields, and fast, filtered x-ray detector data. In particular, the experimental results for a double PWA load consisting of twelve 10$\mu $m Cu wires in each row (total mass M $\sim $ 175 $\mu $g) and a much heavier single PWA load consisting of ten 30$\mu $m Ag wires (M $\sim $ 750 $\mu $g) were analyzed using a set of theoretical codes. The effects of both a decreased a-c gap and an increased current on radiative properties of these loads are discussed. * This work was supported by NNSA/DOE Coop. Agr. DE-FC52-06NA27588, 27586, and 27616. Sandia is a multi-program laboratory operated by Sandia Co., a LMC, for the US DOE under Contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.