Analyzing the efficacy of a wire array current switch performed on Z

The wire-array current switch has been shown to reduce current rise-times on 1 MA scale pulsed-power generators [1]. We have recently tested this concept at

the 20 MA Z-facility at Sandia National Laboratories. The experiments utilized an exploding wire array to switch current into a beryllium rod load. The dynamics of

the rod compression were observed with radiography and can be related to the magnitude and rise-time of the switched current. We report on circuit modeling

coupled with MHD simulations that constrain the family of possible current pulses. Initial analysis suggests the switch was effective and may have

applications across a broad range of platforms.