ZPIMP: A Zero-D Z-Pinch Implosion Code.
Abstract
The discharge of electrical energy through a cylindrical gas puff is a well tested means of creating an intense burst of high energy radiation. Typical output from an imploding neon Z-pinch is a few kJ of x-rays when the peak current is about 1 MA on the GAMBLE II pulsed-power device at the Naval Research Laboratory. The experimental program to produce a bright and consistent Plasma Radiation Source (PRS) on GAMBLE II and on other facilities has evolved over the past several years. A new single zone, radiation-hydrodynamics code (ZPIMP) for modeling current driven gas puff implosions is developed. The hydrodynamics is based upon the finite difference equations for a standard multizone simulation. An analytic solution for the diffusion of the magnetic field in a moving medium is used to calculate the resistive heating and Maxwell stresses. A non-LTE ionization dynamics is self-consistently coupled to radiation transport for the single plasma zone. A circuit equation is solved for the input current to the plasma load. The problem of complete energy conservation in a numerical finite difference code is addressed in detail. The ZPIMP code is applied to the implosion of an aluminum vapor on GAMBLE II. A brief comparison of the results for annular shells and filled cylinders is presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 25, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA208381
Entities
People
- J. L. Giuliani
- John Rogerson
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory