Designs, tests and plans for MAIZE: a 1 MA LTD-driven z-pinch

• Published in: 2008 IEEE 35th International Conference on Plasma Science p. 1
• Main Authors: Gilgenbach, R.M., Gomez, M.R., Zier, J., Tang, W., French, D., Hoff, B.W., Jordan, N., Cruz, E., Lau, Y.Y., Mazarakis, M.G., Cuneo, M., Johnston, M.D., Oliver, B.V., Mehlhorn, T.A., Kim, A.A., Sinebryukhov, V.A.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.06.2008
• Subjects: Arrays; Inductance; Laboratories; Plasmas; Sparks; USA Councils; Wire
• ISBN: 1424419298; 9781424419296
• ISSN: 0730-9244; 2576-7208
• DOI: 10.1109/PLASMA.2008.4591080

We present designs, resistive-load test results and experimental plans of the first 1 MA z-pinch in the USA to be driven by a Linear Transformer Driver (LTD). The Michigan Accelerator for Inductive Z-pinch Experiments, (MAIZE), is based on the LTD developed at the Institute for High Current Electronics in collaboration with Sandia National Labs. This LTD utilizes 80 capacitors and 40 spark gap switches to deliver a 1 MA, 100 kV pulse with <100 ns risetime into a matched resistive load. Resistive load test results will be presented for components and the LTD facility. Designs will be presented of a low-inductance MITL terminated in a wire- array z-pinch. Planned experiments include LTD driven time- changing inductance of imploding 4-16 wire-array z-pinches. Wire ablation dynamics, axial-correlations and instability development will be explored.