Operation and results of a Thomson scattering diagnostic on the FuZE and FuZE-Q devices

A Thomson scattering diagnostic previously fielded on the FuZE device at Zap Energy [1] has been used to measure electron temperature, density, and pressure profiles of the sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinches generated in the FuZE-Q device. While the diagnostic hardware setup remains identical to past work, a new data processing algorithm has been developed for analyzing the FuZE-Q data. This data analysis process is compared with past data on the FuZE device to confirm results and provide confidence in the experimental results. Results from high current discharges on the FuZE and FuZE-Q devices will be presented with characterization of the generated Z-pinch.

[1] Probing Local Electron Temperature and Density inside a Sheared Flow Stabilized Z-Pinch using Portable Optical Thomson Scattering, J. Banasek et al, Rev. Sci. Instr., 94, 023508, 2023