Plasma Pinch Research on University Pulsed-Power Generators in the United States

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science Vol. 40; no. 12; pp. 3246 - 3264
• Main Authors: Giuliani, J. L., Beg, F. N., Gilgenbach, R. M., Kantsyrev, V. L., Kusse, B. R., Ivanov, V. V., Presura, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.12.2012; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Arrays; Educational institutions; Generators; Magnetic field diagnostics; magnetized instabilities; Magnetohydrodynamics; magnetohydrodynamics (MHDs); Physics; Plasma diagnostics; plasma jets; Plasma physics; Plasmas; pulsed power; Pulsed power supplies; radial foil; University research; Wire; wire ablation; wire array Z -pinch; X -pinch; X-ray sources; United States > US
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/TPS.2012.2220786

This paper covers ongoing research on pulsed-power-produced plasmas using wire arrays and foil loads at four universities in the U.S. It is directed toward prospective and current students, as well as program managers at government agencies, and others who have a general interest in applications of pulsed power. This paper presents several pinch configurations ( Z -pinches, X -pinches, planar wire arrays, radial, and suspended foils), specific physics issues (e.g., wire ablation), applications (plasma jets, X-ray hohlraums), diagnostics (e.g., ultraviolet laser probing), and modeling. The areas covered are not meant to be comprehensive, but rather, the discussion demonstrates the breadth and vibrancy of the activities at these institutions and collates extensive references on this work over primarily the past six years.