Modeling the Z Exploding Cylinder Platform with the FLAG Radiation Magneto-Hydrodynamics Code

The Exploding Cylinder platform, recently demonstrated on the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories, provides a means to study the evolution of unstable flows over many dynamical timescales. The platform involves driving a cylindrical flyer plate radially outward which impacts a cylindrical target. The target consists of an unstable interface between a low- and high-density material. The combination of azimuthal symmetry and the long drive times provided by Z allow the unstable interface to be driven for very long timescales, potentially enabling the study of the transition to turbulence. We present modeling of this platform using the FLAG code, along with comparison to available data, to assess the prospects for this platform to study the transition to and evolution of HED turbulence.