Investigating the performances of a 1 MV high pulsed power linear transformer driver: from beam dynamics to x radiation

Maisonny, R.; Ribière, M.; Toury, M.; Plewa, Jérémie-Marie; Caron, M.; Auriel, G.; d’Almeida, Thierry

doi:10.1103/physrevaccelbeams.19.120401

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The LTD concept was pioneered by Koval'chuk et al [7] and has received increasing attention in recent years [8][9][10][11], including a recent review on the history of LTD development [12]. Several LTD machines are operational or under development in the USA [13][14][15][16], Europe [17,18], Russia [19,20], and Asia [21,22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MA-class linear transformer driver for Z -pinch research

Conti

Valenzuela

Fadeev

et al. 2020

Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams

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A linear transformer driver (LTD) generator capable of delivering up to 0.9 MA current pulses with 160 ns rise time has been assembled and commissioned at University of California San Diego. The machine is an upgrade of the LTD-III pulser from Sandia National Laboratories, consisting of 40 capacitors and 20 spark gap switches, arranged in a 20-brick configuration. The driver was modified with the addition of a new trigger system, active premagnetization of the inductive cores, a vacuum chamber with multiple diagnostic ports, and a vacuum power feed to couple the driver to plasma loads. The new machine is called compact experimental system for Z-pinch and ablation research (CESZAR). The driver has a maximum bipolar charge voltage of AE100 kV, but for reliability and testing, and to reduce the risk of damage to components, the machine was operated at AE60 kV, producing 550 kA peak currents with a rise time of 170 ns on a 3.5 nH short circuit. While the peak current is scaled down due to the reduced charge voltage, the pulse shape and circuit parameters are close to the results of the cavity and power feed models but suggest a slightly higher inductance than predicted. The machine was then used to drive wire array Z-pinch and gas puff Z-pinch experiments as initial dynamic plasma loads. The evolution of the wire array Z pinch is consistent with the general knowledge of this kind of experiment, featuring wire ablation and stagnation of the precursor plasma on axis. The gas puff Z pinches were configured as a single, hollow argon gas shell, in preparation for more structured gas puff targets such as multispecies, multishell implosions. The implosion dynamics agree generally with 1D magnetohydrodynamics simulation results, but large zippering and magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities are observed. The CESZAR load region was designed to accommodate many load types to be driven by the machine, which makes it a versatile platform for studying Z-pinch plasmas. The completion of the CESZAR driver allows plasma experiments on energy coupling from LTD machines to plasma loads, instability mitigation techniques and magnetic field distributions in Z pinches, and interface dynamics in multispecies implosions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MA-class linear transformer driver for Z -pinch research

Conti

Valenzuela

Fadeev

et al. 2020

Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams

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“…These effects can occur in satellites as well as in a broad range of electronic parts integrated within diagnostics used while operating facilities such as nuclear power plants, particle accelerators, 1 high energy, 2 high power 3 laser beams, and high pulsed power electron or X-ray beams. [4][5][6][7] These ESDs may significantly affect the electric signals associated with the measurements, thus inducing misinterpretation. ESDs may also induce thermomechanical degradation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of electrostatic discharge induced plasmas in dielectrics irradiated by multi-MeV electron beam

et al. 2020

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This work is devoted to experimental analyses of plasmas induced by electrostatic discharges in dielectric materials. Electrostatic discharges are produced in polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) and polyethylene samples irradiated by a 6-MeV electron beam generated by a linear accelerator facility. The time and space evolution of the conductivity of the plasma is determined by microwave transmission measurements across a cavity followed by comparison with 3D Maxwell calculations. Furthermore, plasma parameters such as average electron energies and densities of electrons and neutral background species are determined from a 0D collisional radiative model. This analysis infers a plasma expansion velocity of about 150 km/s and a maximum electric conductivity of about 40 S/m. The electron density is estimated to be about 10 12 cm À3 , and electron average energies are up to 60 eV, while neutral species densities do not exceed 10 18 cm À3 .

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Numerical and experimental characterization of a plasma induced on a solid target by an intense pulsed multi-MeV e-beam

2017

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We investigate the interaction of an intense pulsed multi MeV electron beam with a solid target on the ASTERIX high voltage generator using a set of numerical and experimental tools. Physical mechanisms occurring at various stages are examined, from electron beam dynamics to X-ray production, including plasma generation at the solid target surface. First, the electron beam characteristics are determined using 2D axisymmetric Particle-In-Cell calculations and a good agreement is found between calculated and measured current and voltage profiles. Calculated electron beam characteristics serve as an input to a 3D Monte-Carlo code in order to simulate the dose distribution within the solid target. The plasma produced at the target surface upon interaction with the electron beam is diagnosed and quantitatively characterized through UV-visible emission spectroscopy. Plasma species are identified and spectroscopy data are analyzed based on a 1D radiative transfer model, allowing electron density and temperature profiles to be inferred. Such combined numerical and experimental investigation is promising for gaining insight into physical mechanisms occurring upon the interaction between high energy electrons and solid targets.

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Investigating the performances of a 1 MV high pulsed power linear transformer driver: from beam dynamics to x radiation

Cited by 8 publications

References 17 publications

MA-class linear transformer driver for Z -pinch research

MA-class linear transformer driver for Z -pinch research

Characterization of electrostatic discharge induced plasmas in dielectrics irradiated by multi-MeV electron beam

Numerical and experimental characterization of a plasma induced on a solid target by an intense pulsed multi-MeV e-beam

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