Caballero: a high current flux compressor system for 100 MJ solid liner experiments

Abstract

Pulse power systems delivering in excess of 1OOfvlJ represent one of the next major challenges to the pulse power community. While a laboratory pulse power system in this energy range is feasible, it represents a very substantial investment of both time and resources. Prudence requires that fundamental proof-of-principle for the contemplated application is established before such massive resources are committed. Explosive pulse power systems using magnetic flux compression provide a direct path to such demonstrations. Furthermore, as energy requirements grow, single use explosive systems may represent the only affordable source of ultra-high energy environments.Currently two flux compressor configurations are under consideration for powering solid liner implosions at currents above 100 MA and at energies above 100 MJ. A simultaneously initiated coaxial flux compressor (Ranchero) is described in a companion paper. A modular, center initiated disk configuration, generally patterned after the DEMG' is the other candidate. Ether can drive loads directly or can conceptually be connected in parallel with flat plate transmission lines to increase current delivery.Phenomenological models and conceptual designs for DEMG systems have been previously reported. In this paper we report the results of the experimental test of a first generation disk generator system. Individual disk segments have been tested with framing camera diagnostics to evaluate overall performance, dynamics and fabrication failure points. In general no bulk failures were observed in several shots and the critical weld joints maintained their integrity for at least 4 ps after arrival of the detonation front. Single module pulse power experiments have been conducted at reduced initial current (1.5 -2.0 MA) with a fixed inductance load of 0.22 nH.-

Pulsed power experiments in hydrodynamics and material properties

“…Pegasus delivers up to 12 MA to imploding liner experiments with approximately 6-µs current rise time. Similarly, fast flux compressors in both disk 5 and coaxial 6 configurations are used for driving experiments at higher current. The Atlas 7 pulsed power system (Fig.…”