Dynamics of Dense X-Pinch and Z-Pinch Plasmas Produced by Pulsed Power Generators

这个项目是关于由亚微秒脉冲功率发生器产生的密集的X-Pinch和Z-Pinch等离子体的动力学。X箍缩由在高功率脉冲发生器的输出电极之间拉伸的至少两根细丝组成，使得它们以X的形式交叉和接触。由400-500kA、80 ns的电流脉冲供电，所产生的等离子体是非常强烈的，亚毫米软X射线源(从金属线开始)或中子(从氚化聚乙烯纤维开始)。这项研究的目的是了解X-Pinch等离子体的动力学，以便能够智能地评估可能的应用(例如，微光刻、活细胞成像和确定中子探测器的空间分辨率)。为了有效地实现这一点，将建立一个专门为X-Pinch供电的脉冲发生器，我们将利用光学和X射线诊断技术，在时间为1 ns、空间分辨率为0.1 mm的情况下，对稠密的x箍缩等离子体(以及比较简单的z箍缩等离子体)进行研究。软X射线测量将用于探测密集的核心等离子体，干涉测量和法拉第旋转测量将探测周围区域。这些测量的目的是确定作为时间函数的质量密度和电流密度分布。从这些量中，可以理解在x箍缩(和z箍缩)内爆中观察到的各种现象。

This project is concerned with the dynamics of dense x-pinch and z-pinch plasmas produced by submicrosecond pulsed power generators. An x- pinch consists of at least two fine wires stretched between output electrodes of a high power pulser such that they cross and touch in the form of an X. Powered by 400-500kA, 80ns current pulses, the resulting plasma is a very intense, submillimeter source of soft x-rays (starting with metal wires) or neutrons (starting with deuterated polyethylene fibers). The objective of this study is to understand the dynamics of x-pinch plasmas so that possible applications (e.g., to microlithography, imaging of living cells and determining the spatial resolution of a neutron detector) can be intelligently evaluated. To accomplish this effectively, a pulser designed specifically to power the x-pinch will be built, and dense x-pinch plasmas (as well as the simpler z- pinches for comparison) will be studied with 1ns time and 0.1mm space resolution using optical and x-ray diagnostic techniques. Soft x-ray measurements will be used to probe the dense core plasma, and interferometry and Faraday rotation measurements will probe the surrounding region. The purpose of these measurements is to determine the mass density and current density distributions as a function f time. From these quantities, the various phenomena observed in x-pinch (and z-pinch) implosions can be understood.