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The simulator concepts studied were designed to yield 400 kJ of 13 keV KrK-shell radiation, which requires significantly more power and energy than today's systems. The object of the study was to identify technologies that lead to feasible designs, and to compare these designs, e.g. in their affordability. A single PRS ("monolithid') with a 250 ns implosion time was the primary object of study; a 100 ns implosion monolithic system and a system of four 250 ns modules were studied in less detail. The M-Q-K model developed by NRL and AASC was assumed to predict the radiation output of the PRS. A system analysis combined this model with a simplified circuit to optimize the PRS load and the key circuit components, which were an LC representation of the pulse-forming circuit, connecting transmission lines, and the vacuum region. Optimization suggested peak PRS currents of 42 MA and 52 MA for the 100 ns and 250 ns monolithic cases and 37 MA each for the four 250 ns PRS modules. It was shown that when driving 250 ns implosions the driver energy was least when the driver (LC)" time was 125 ns. For the 250 ns, 52 MA single PRS, four realizable and near-optimum point designs were identified. One uses 60 present-day [(LC)'" > 500 ns] Marxes and water transfer capacitors; another uses 96 faster [(LC)'" > 300 ns] Marxes + water peakingcapacitors; the third uses 256 still faster [(LC)'" = 175 ns] Marxes alone; the fourth uses 64 LTDs. The point designs are compared with each other and with the most similar previous technology, developed in US DoD in the 1970's and 1980's. Fast stage components are now under development to extend this technology to any of the latter three design approaches and possibly to the Z rehrbikhment at SNLA.

In October 2005, an intensive three-year Laser Triggered Gas Switch (LTGS) development program was initiated to investigate and solve observed performance and reliability issues with the LTGS for ZR. The approach taken has been one of mission-focused research: to revisit and reassess the design, to establish a fundamental understanding of LTGS operation and failure modes, and to test evolving operational hypotheses. This effort is aimed toward deploying an initial switch for ZR in 2007, on supporting rolling upgrades to ZR as the technology can be developed, and to prepare with scientific understanding for the even higher voltage switches anticipated needed for future high-yield accelerators.

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