The X-1 Z-pinch driver

X-1 is a program initiative to develop the next-generation laboratory X-ray source using fast Z-pinch drivers. X-1 will provide unique applications utility to high-energy density physics, inertial confinement fusion, and radiation effects simulation research. The advent in the 1980´s of pulsed power accelerators capable of delivering tens of terawatts to imploding plasma loads led to a quantum improvement in Z-pinch performance by reducing the implosion time to less than 100 ns. Further progress in Z-pinch performance capabilities was achieved in 1996, using a cylindrical wire-array load, and led to the production of 85 TW, 350-500 kJ of X-rays using the Saturn accelerator at Sandia. The PBFA-II accelerator has been converted to drive Z-pinch loads (PBFA-Z), and will provide a factor of 2 increase in current, and 4 in energy, over that provided by Saturn. X-1 is the next step beyond PBFA-Z and, as presently envisioned, represents a factor of 8 increase in energy. It will require a ~360 TW, ~100 ns pulsed power generator to impart ~16 MJ kinetic energy to the reference imploding plasma load. A baseline concept for X-1 has been developed. It utilizes a highly modular, robust architecture with demonstrated performance reliability