Numerical simulations of thick aluminum wire behavior under megaampere current drive

Verification and validation adventures in simulating megagauss-magnetic-field-induced plasma formation on thickwire metallic surfaces

“…Previously reported calculations [8,10] reproduce many of the observations, including an observed magnetic field threshold for plasma formation to occur [10]. It is quite common to consider computations that "match the experiment" to be both verified and validated.…”

“…In [10], the best agreement with the observations was obtained using a Maxwell-construct EOS (SESAME 3719) and a SESAME-format resistivity table based upon the resistivity used by Garanin [1,8]. However, we noted "the experimental (brightness) temperature rises more slowly than the computational temperature from 0.75 eV to about 2 eV, i.e., the oh in the computations is smaller than in the experiment.…”

“…As previously indicated, Garanin [8] has used a Lagrangian formulation and a van der Waals EOS to model the Zebra experiments. The Garanin computations of brightness temperature agree reasonably well with the observed plasma formation time and subsequent evolution.…”

“…Garanin [8] reported Lagrangian simulations of the Zebra experiments using an EOS that had van der Waals (vdW) loops in the pressure model. The need for very high spatial resolution at the vacuum interface was illustrated.…”

“…In addition, we compare Eulerian computations with the Lagrangian calculations of Garanin [8] and Lagrangian calculations performed with the computer code Raven. The comparisons between the codes give rise to serious concerns about the differences between Eulerian and Lagrangian simulations and about the differences between van der Waals and Maxwell-construct EOSs.…”