Experimental Results from SHIVA Star Vacuum Inductive Store/Plasma Flow Switch Drven Implosions

Abstract

Using a 1313-μF, 3-nH, 120-kV, 9.4-MJ SHIVA Star capacitor bank, we have performed vacuum inductive store/plasma flow switch (PFS) driven implosions of low mass (200-400 μg/cm2) cylindrical foil liners of 2-cm height and 5-cm radius. This technique employs a coaxial discharge through a plasma armature, which stores magnetic energy over 3-4 μs and rapidly switches it to an imploding load as the plasma armature exits the coaxial gun muzzle. The current transferred to the load by the PFS has a rise time of less than 0.2 μs. With 5-MJ stored energy, we have driven fast liner implosions with a current of over 9 MA, obtaining an isotropic equivalent 2.7-TW 0.5-MJ X-ray yield.