Two-Dimensional Radiation MHD K-Shell Modeling of Stainless-Steel Double-Wire-Array Experiments on the Refurbished Z Machine

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science Vol. 38; no. 4; pp. 606 - 617
• Main Authors: Thornhill, J Ward, Giuliani, John L, Dasgupta, Arati, Apruzese, John P, Davis, Jack, Chong, Young K, Jennings, Christopher A, Ampleford, Dave A, Jones, Brent, Coverdale, Christine A, Jones, M C, Cuneo, Michael E, Stygar, W A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.04.2010; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Ablation; Argon; Arrays; Atomic measurements; Computer simulation; Copper; Current loss; Generators; Ionizing radiation; K-shell radiation; Laboratories; Lifting equipment; Magnetohydrodynamic power generation; magnetohydrodynamics (MHD); Mathematical models; plasma pinch; Radiation; Simulation; Stainless steel; Thermodynamics; Titanium; Two dimensional; Wire; X-ray production
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/TPS.2010.2041473

Two-dimensional ( r , z ) magnetohydrodynamic simulations with nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium ionization and radiation transport are used to investigate the K-shell radiation output from doubly nested large-diameter (> 60 mm) stainless-steel arrays fielded on the refurbished Z pulsed-power generator. The effects of the initial density perturbations, wire ablation rate, and current loss near the load on the total power, K-shell power, and K-shell yield are examined. The broad mass distribution produced by wire ablation largely overcomes the deleterious impact on the K-shell power and yield of 2-D instability growth. On the other hand, the possible current losses in the final feed section lead to substantial reductions in K-shell yield. Following a survey of runs, the parameters for the perturbation level, ablation rate, and current loss are chosen to benchmark the simulations against existing 65-mm-diameter radiation data. The model is then used to predict the K-shell properties of larger diameter (70 mm) arrays to be imploded on the Z generator.