Advances in pulsed power and MHD technology to enable high pressure material dynamics studies

Pulsed power devices are quite efficient at producing very large pulsed current and magnetic field densities. The corresponding Lorentz forces enable these devices to be used very effectively in driving implosion experiments; both wire array Z-pinch experiments and liner implosion experiments. In these cases, the relatively low mass cathode (the wires or the liner) are accelerated (>;10¹² g) to high velocity in a convergent geometry. Recently, researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have investigated the use of the Z accelerator to perform "liner explosion" experiments. In this case, a relatively low mass anode is accelerated to high velocity in a divergent geometry. These experiments have been directed toward highly accurate dynamic material studies. In particular, emphasis has been placed on the launching of planar, solid density flyer plates to velocities approaching 30 km/s for use in equation of state studies at ultra-high pressure. Several advances in pulsed power and magneto-hydrodynamic technologies required to perform these experiments will be discussed.