Advances in Electromagnetic Flux Compression at Loughborough University

This paper presents the most recent results obtained from an ongoing research programme at Loughborough University related to the generation and measurement of ultrahigh magnetic fields. Initially, results obtained from detailed 2D modelling of thetas-pinch electromagnetic flux compression are presented and discussed, and suggestions are made for the improvement of the technique. Secondly, results obtained when using an imploding copper liner and a novel insulator-metallic phase transition cascading technique are presented. Magnetic flux densities in excess of 350 T were produced and reliably measured, even when major liner instabilities existed during the implosion. Finally, interesting characteristics are demonstrated of a further novel phase transition technique, implemented into an exploding single-turn discharge. Most importantly, ultrahigh magnetic flux densities are sustained over much longer periods of time than in conventional single-turn discharge experiments.