Computer simulations of the magnetically insulated transmission lines and post-hole convolute of ZR

An important consideration for the success of the ZR project, refurbishing the Z accelerator at Sandia National Laboratories, is limiting current loss in the vacuum section, ideally to no worse than the 5 – 10% seen on Z. The primary source for this loss is electrons flowing into the post-hole convolute from the four magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs). The MITLs on ZR have larger gaps to reduce the electron flow to values comparable to Z when operating at ∼40% higher voltage and ∼30% higher current. Electron flow in the vacuum section is analyzed with electromagnetic, particle-in-cell simulations, using two complementary simulation setups. First, the exact MITL profiles are modeled with high-resolution 2-D simulations out to large radius (typically r = 60 cm), providing accurate values for the electron flow into the convolute. Second, the convolute is modeled in 3-D, but with MITLs extending out only to r ∼ 30 cm. The 3-D MITL geometry is modified to provide the same electron flow into the convolute as the 2-D simulations. The 3-D simulations have detailed diagnostics for current loss and surface deposition heating in the convolute.