Implosions of NaF plasmas with a 3-MA driver for a Na/Ne photopumped laser

Summary form only given. Implosions of NaF capillary-discharge plasmas with 3-MA driving current are being investigated to increase the power in this pump line in order to demonstrate lasing. Implosion experiments were carried out on the Double Eagle generator at Physics International. To match the 3-MA driving current of this generator, the mass per unit length of the NaF plasma was increased by increasing the current through the NaF capillary discharge to about 200 kA. The Na pump power was optimized by adjusting the time interval from the capillary current pulse to firing the generator. X-ray diagnostics were performed. The power in the He-α line exceeded 100 GW for the 0.5- and 0.75-cm nozzles but not for the 1-cm nozzle. A maximum power of 130 GW was obtained for implosions which occurred about 120 ns after the start of the current pulse. Burn-through of the He-like Na stage was evident in spectroscopic measurements where the H-like emission was more intense than He-like emission. Masses per unit length of several hundred micrograms per centimeter were inferred from measured implosion times and initial plasma diameters