Sheared-Flow-Stabilized Z-Pinch Accelerator Plasma Dynamics Effect on Performance Outcomes in FuZE-Q

FuZE-Q is the latest generation sheared-flow-stabilized device operated at Zap Energy. Compared to previous devices, FuZE-Q has a larger capacitor bank that allows for higher delivered current. This affects the plasma dynamics throughout the machine. To characterize the dynamics in the accelerator region we use a 633 nm HeNe laser interferometry system to measure the time dependent chord-integrated electron density in four axial locations. These time series data can be compared to the magnetic probes in the region, as well as the neutronics throughout the shot, to give insight into how accelerator conditions affect the eventual pinch. We find that key quantities such as neutron yield, the timing of neutron radiation, and the initial plasma mass injected into the machine correlate well with the density dynamics. The strength and sign of these correlations change along the length of the accelerator, helping localize important physics happening in the accelerator.