Staged Z-pinch Experiments on Cobra and Zebra

ORAL

Abstract

A Staged Z-pinch (SZP), configured as a pre-magnetized, high-Z (Ar, or Kr) annular liner imploding onto a low-Z (H, or D) target, was tested on the Cornell University, Cobra Facility and the University of Nevada, Reno, Zebra Facility; each characterized similarly by a nominal 1-MA current and 100-ns risetime while possessing different diagnostic packages. XUV-fast imaging reveals that the SZP implosion dynamics is similar on both machines and that it is more stable with an axial (B$_z$) magnetic field, a target, or both, than without. On Zebra, where neutron production is possible, reproducible thermonuclear (DD) yields were recorded at levels in excess of 10$^9$/shot. Flux compression in the SZP is also expected to produce magnetic field intensities of the order of kilo-Tesla. Thus, the DD reaction produced tritions should also yield secondary DT neutrons. Indeed, secondaries are measured above the noise threshold at levels approaching 10$^6$/shot.

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Authors

  • F. Wessel

    Magneto-Inertial Fusion Technologies, Inc., MIFTI

  • A. Anderson

    University of Nevada, Reno

  • Jacob Banasek

    Cornell University

  • Tom Byvank

    Cornell University

  • Fabio Conti

    University of California, San Diego, UCSD

  • T. W. Darling

    University of Nevada, Reno

  • E. Dutra

    University of Nevada, Reno, UNR

  • Vladimir Glebov

    University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • J. Greenly

    Cornell University

  • D. A. Hammer

    Cornell University

  • W. M. Potter

    Cornell University

  • Sophia Rocco

    Cornell University

  • M. Ross

    University of California, San Diego, UCSD

  • E. Ruskov

    Magneto-Inertial Fusion Technologies, Inc., MIFTI

  • J. Valenzuela

    University of California, San Diego, University of California San Diego, UCSD

  • Farhat Beg

    University of California, San Diego, UCSD, Univ. CA, San Diego

  • A. Covington

    UNR, Nevada Terawatt Facility and Physics Department, University of Nevada, Reno, Department of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, University of Nevada, Reno, Univ. Nevada, Reno

  • J. Narkis

    University of California, San Diego, UCSD

  • Hafiz U. Rahman

    Magneto-Inertial Fusion Technologies, Inc., MIFTI