WADM and radiation MHD simulations of compact multi-planar and cylindrical wire arrays at 1 MA currents

The radiative performance of Z-pinches created by the imploding wire array loads is defined by the ablation and implosion dynamics of these loads. Both these processes can be effectively modeled by the Wire Ablation Dynamics Model (WADM), which extends the formalism exploited earlier for the cylindrical wire arrays to the loads of arbitrary geometries. The WADM calculates the ablation rates for each array wire and provides the important dynamic parameters, such as the specific mass and velocity of the imploding plasma, which can be used to estimate the shapes of the x-ray pre-pulse and, partially, the main x-ray burst. The applications of the WADM also extend to combined material wire array loads. The ablation and implosion dynamics of novel Prism Planar Wire Array (PPWA) and combined material (Mo/Al/Mo) Triple Planar Wire Array (TPWA) loads are discussed in detail. The combined WADM and radiation MHD simulation is applied to model the radiative performance of the precursor plasma column, created by the imploding stainless steel compact cylindrical wire array. As the radiation effects intensify with the mass accumulation at the array center, the simulation reveals the transformation of quasi-uniform precursor column into a heterogeneous plasma structure with strong density and temperature gradients. We find that radiative performance of the precursor plasma is greatly affected by the load geometry as well as by the wire material.     

A review of new wire arrays with open and closed magnetic configurations at the 1.6 MA Zebra generator for radiative properties and opacity effects

The studies emphasize investigation of plasma formation, implosion, and radiation features as a function of two load configurations: compact multi-planar and cylindrical wire arrays. Experiments with different Z-pinch loads were performed on 1.6 MA, 100 ns, Zebra generator at University of Nevada, Reno. The multi-planar wire arrays (PWAs) were studied in open and closed configurations with Al, Cu, brass, Mo and W wires. In the open magnetic configurations (single, double, triple PWAs) magnetic fields are present inside the arrays from the beginning of discharge, while in closed configurations (prism-like PWA) the global magnetic field is excluded inside before plasma flow occurs. The new prism-like PWA allows high flexibility in control of implosion dynamics and precursor formation. The spectral modeling, magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) and wire ablation dynamic model (WADM) codes were used to describe the plasma evolution and plasma parameters. Experimentally observed electron temperature and density in multiple bright spots reached 1.4 keV and 5 × 10²¹ cm^?3, respectively. Two types of bright spots were observed. With peak currents up to 1.3 MA opacity effects became more pronounced and led to a limiting of the X-ray yields from compact cylindrical arrays. Despite different magnetic energy to plasma coupling mechanisms early in the implosion a comparison of compact double PWA and cylindrical WA results indicates that during the stagnation stage the same plasma heating mechanism may occur. The double PWA was found to be the best radiator tested at University scale 1 MA generator. It is characterized by a combination of larger yield and power, mm-scale size, and provides the possibility of radiation pulse shaping. Further, the newer configuration, the double PWA with skewed wires, was tested and showed the possibility of a more effective X-ray generation.     

Modeling of K-shell Al and Mg radiation from compact single, double planar and cylindrical alloyed Al wire array plasmas produced on the 1 MA Zebra generator at UNR

Radiative emission from alloyed Al single, double and compact cylindrical wire arrays have been studied using the 1 MA Zebra UNR generator. Single planar wire arrays using ten wires and double planar wire arrays and compact cylindrical wire arrays (CCWA) that both had sixteen wires were utilized. The wire composition is Al-5056 (95% of Al and 5% of Mg). We have observed that implosion of these alloyed Al wire loads generated optically thick Al plasmas that can be diagnosed using K-shell Mg lines. In particular, among the considered loads, the K-shell lines of Al from implosions of the double planar wire arrays have the highest optical depth for He-like Al resonance transitions, which occurred near the stagnation phase. X-ray time-gated and time-integrated spectra and pinhole images as well as photoconductive detectors signals were analyzed to provide information on the plasma parameters; electron temperatures and densities, implosion dynamics features and power and yields of the X-ray radiation. Previously developed non-LTE models were applied to model axially-resolved time-integrated, as well as time-gated spatially-integrated, K-shell spectra from Al and Mg. The derived time-dependent electron temperature, density and axial opacity were studied and compared. In addition, the wire ablation dynamics model (WADM) was used to calculate the kinetic energy of the plasma, which with the aid of a Local Thermal Equilibrium (LTE) magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) simulation, allowed to estimate the precursor and stagnated z-pinch plasma electron temperatures from implosions of wire array loads.     

Radiative properties of mixed nested cylindrical wire arrays on Zebra at UNR

The dynamics of mixed nested cylindrical wire arrays were studied at the UNR Zebra generator with our existing theoretical and experimental tools to better understand the contributions of each array to the emitted radiation. In particular, experimental results of mixed brass (70% Cu, 30% Zn) and Al (5056, 5% Mg) nested cylindrical wire arrays are analyzed and compared. The loads used brass in the inner array and Al in the outer array, or alternately, Al in the inner array and brass in the outer array, with a mass ratio of 1:1 (outer to inner). Consequently, radiative properties of K-shell Al and Mg ions and L-shell Cu and Zn ions are compared as functions of the placements of the brass and Al wires on the inner and outer arrays. Results show that the placement of brass and Al, whether on the inner or outer array, dramatically affects the intensity of the X-ray emission. Specifically, the ratio of Cu L-shell to Al K-shell emissions changed from 4 when Al is in the outer array to 40 when brass is in the outer array, and the total radiated yield was highest when the brass was on the outer array (18 kJ, versus 15 kJ when brass is on the inner array). Each load was fielded twice to vary the timing of the time-gated imaging and spectral diagnostics. This provides a more complete understanding of the evolution of the plasma parameters over the X-ray pulse and highlights the importance of the time-gated diagnostics.     

Implosion characteristics and applications of combined tungsten–aluminum Z-pinch planar arrays

An exploration of the implosion properties and X-ray radiation pulses from tungsten-based planar wire array Z-pinch experiments is presented, with an emphasis on loads mixed with aluminum. These experiments were carried out on Zebra, the 1.0 MA pulse power generator at the Nevada Terawatt Facility. A suite of diagnostics was used to study these plasmas, including X-ray and EUV Si diodes, optical imaging, laser shadowgraphy, and time-gated and time-integrated X-ray pinhole imagers and spectrometers. Specifically, loads with relatively large inter-wire gaps where tungsten is placed in the center of a planar configuration composed primarily of aluminum showed unusual characteristics. These loads are shown to generate a “bubbling” effect in which plasma from the ablation of outer aluminum wires is temporarily hindered from converging at the center of the array where the tungsten wire is located. Reproduction of these experiments with variations to load geometry, materials, and mass distribution are also presented and discussed in an attempt to better understand the phenomenon. In addition, a theoretical model has also been applied to better understand the dynamics of the implosions of these loads. Applications of this effect to radiation pulse shaping, particularly with multi-planar arrays, are also discussed.     

Searching for efficient X-ray radiators for wire array Z-pinch plasmas using mid-atomic-number single planar wire arrays on Zebra at UNR

We continue to search for more efficient X-ray radiators from wire array Z-pinch plasmas. The results of recent experiments with single planar wire array (SPWA) loads made from mid-atomic-number material wires such as Alumel, Cu, Mo, and Ag are presented and compared. In particular, two new efficient X-ray radiators, Alumel (95% Ni, 2% Al, and 2% Si) and Ag, are introduced, and their radiative properties are discussed in detail. The experiments were performed on the 1 MA Zebra generator at UNR. The X-ray yields from such mid-atomic-number SPWAs exceed twice those from low-atomic-number SPWAs, such as Al, and increase with the atomic number to reach more than 27–29 kJ for Ag. To consider the main contributions to the total radiation, we divided the time interval of the Z-pinch dynamic where wire ablation and implosion, stagnation, and plasma expansion occur in corresponding phases and studied the radiative and implosion characteristics within them. Theoretical tools such as non-LTE kinetics and wire ablation dynamic models were applied in the data analysis. These results and the models developed have much broader applications, not only for SPWAs on Zebra, but for other HED plasmas with mid-atomic-number ions.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopy for wire-array Z-pinches at the non-radiative stage

Absorption spectroscopy was applied to wire-array Z-pinches on the 1 MA pulsed-power Zebra generator at the Nevada Terawatt Facility (NTF). The 50 TW Leopard laser was coupled with the Zebra generator for X-ray backlighting of wire arrays at the ablation stage. Broadband X-ray emission from a laser-produced Sm plasma was used to backlight Al star wire arrays in the range of 7–9 Å. Two time-integrated X-ray conical spectrometers recorded reference and absorption spectra. The spectrometers were shielded from the bright Z-pinch X-ray burst by collimators. The comparison of plasma-transmitted spectra with reference spectra indicates absorption lines in the range of 8.1–8.4 Å. Analysis of Al K-shell absorption spectra with detailed atomic kinetics models shows a distribution of electron temperature in the range of 10–30 eV that was fitted with an effective two-temperature model. Temperature and density distributions in wire-array plasma were simulated with a three-dimension magneto-hydrodynamic code. Post-processing of this code’s output yields synthetic transmission spectrum which is in general agreement with the data.     

Spectroscopic analysis of Cu wire array implosions on the refurbished Z generator

Experimental investigations of pinches on the refurbished Z (ZR) generator using Cu arrays have been initiated and more are planned for the near future. Significant X-ray emissions in the K-shell from moderately high atomic number plasmas such as Cu generate extreme interest. However, the production of these hard photons from high Z materials comes with a price. There is substantial loss of radiative yield due to stripping through many electrons present in high Z materials to reach to the H- or He-like ionization stages. Production of hard X-rays for materials with atomic number higher than Cu such as Kr is very difficult and theoretical predictions are even more uncertain. Previous experimental efforts using Cu as a plasma pinch load are encouraging and promote further investigations of this element on the refurbished Z machine for achieving photon energies higher than 5 keV and obtaining sufficient radiative yield. We will analyze the ionization dynamics and generate Cu spectrum using the temperature and density conditions obtained from 1-D non-LTE radiation hydrodynamics simulations of Cu wire array implosions on ZR. These results will be compared with K- and L-shell experimental spectrum of shot Z 1975. Theoretical K- and L-shell spectroscopy provides validation of atomic and plasma modeling when compared to available experimental data and also provides useful diagnostics for the plasma parameters. Our self-consistently generated non-LTE collisional-radiative model employs an extensive atomic level structure and data for all dominant atomic processes that are necessary to model accurately the pinch dynamics and the spectroscopic details of the emitted radiation.     

A computational study of x-ray emission from high-Z x-ray sources on the National Ignition Facility laser

We have begun to use 350–500 kJ of 1/3-micron laser light from the National Ignition Facility (NIF) laser to create millimeter-scale, bright multi-keV x-ray sources. In the first set of shots we achieved 15%–18% x-ray conversion efficiency into Xe M-shell (∼1.5–2.5 keV), Ar K-shell (∼3 keV) and Xe L-shell (∼4–5.5 keV) emission (Fournier et al., Phys. Plasmas 17, 082701, 2010), in good agreement with the emission modeled using a 2D radiation-hydrodynamics code incorporating a modern Detailed Configuration Accounting atomic model in non-LTE (Colvin et al., Phys. Plasmas, 17, 073111, 2010). In this paper we first briefly review details of the computational model and comparisons of the simulations with the Ar/Xe NIF data. We then discuss a computational study showing sensitivity of the x-ray emission to various beam illumination details (beam configuration, pointing, peak power, pulse shape, etc.) and target parameters (size, initial density, etc.), and finally make some predictions of how the x-ray conversion efficiency expected from NIF shots scales with atomic number of the emitting plasma.     

Application of a Special Yield Stress Strain Rate Law to Structural Impulse Problems

ABSTRACT

This paper presents approximate solutions to the dynamic response of three impulsively loaded structures: a wire with an impulsively loaded end mass, an impulsively loaded circular ring, and a cantilever beam with a tip mass subjected to an impulsive load at its tip. The material is assumed to be rigid, perfectly plastic with strain rate sensitivity. A proposed power law form of yield stress strain rate relationship is used to simplify the theoretical development. Numerical solutions are presented for mild steel and are compared with previously published results. Elastic effects and wave propogations are ignored.     

The torsional fatigue properties of titanium-alloy spring wire

The absence of any torsional fatigue-test data on currently used titanium-alloy spring wire along with inconsistent fatigue-test data derived from earlier test programs prompted this investigation. The torsional fatigue testing was performed on straight lengths of 13V?11Cr?3Al titanium-alloy spring wire in diameters of 0.148 in. (0.376 cm), 0.225 in. (0.572 cm) and 0.374 in. (0.950 cm) considered as representative. A second material selected as a possible alternate for 13V?11Cr?3Al spring was 3Al?8V?6Cr?4Mo?4Zr which was tested in diameters of 0.225 in. (0.572 cm) and 0.376 in. (0.955 cm). Testing as straight-wire lengths eliminated the manufacturing variables introduced by fabricating a helical-spring geometry. Two methods were considered for improving fatigue life, namely abrasive cleaning and shot peening. At a torsional stress of 100 ksi (689.5 MPa), the test data indicate that an improvement in fatigue life of at least one order of magnitude may be realized by shot peening 0.225-in. (0.572-cm)-diam 13V?11Cr?3Al wire to an intensity of 0.015A. A similar improvement of fatigue life may be gained by shot peening 0.148-in. (0.376-cm)-diam wire to a similar intensity. A substantial fatigue-life improvement was obtained by an obrasive-cleaning operation on all wire diameters tested. The fatigue life of the 3Al?8V?6Cr?4Mo?4Zr titanium-alloy wire in the cold-worked and aged condition was lower at all stress levels and diameters tested than for similar diameters of 13V?11Cr?3Al titanium-alloy wire.     

摩擦-电化学噪声法研究Mo改性钛合金的腐蚀-磨损行为

利用等离子表面改性技术在Ti6Al4V合金基体上制备Mo渗镀复合改性层,考察改性层组织结构,利用微动摩擦学试验机并结合电化学噪声技术对比研究基材及改性层在0.5 mol/L NaCl溶液中的腐蚀-微动摩擦学行为,对腐蚀-摩擦过程中的噪声参数进行分析.结果表明:纯Mo改性层能够明显改善钛合金的耐磨和减摩特性;同时提高了合金在0.5 mol/L NaCl溶液中的自腐蚀电位及降低了腐蚀电流,改善了合金表面的腐蚀-摩擦学性能.     

Measurement and simulations of hollow atom X-ray spectra of solid-density relativistic plasma created by high-contrast PW optical laser pulses

K-shell spectra of solid Al excited by petawatt picosecond laser pulses have been investigated at the Vulcan PW facility. Laser pulses of ultrahigh contrast with an energy of 160 J on the target allow studies of interactions between the laser field and solid state matter at 10²⁰ W/cm². Intense X-ray emission of KK hollow atoms (atoms without n = 1 electrons) from thin aluminum foils is observed from optical laser plasma for the first time. Specifically for 1.5 μm thin foil targets the hollow atom yield dominates the resonance line emission. It is suggested that the hollow atoms are predominantly excited by the impact of X-ray photons generated by radiation friction to fast electron currents in solid-density plasma due to Thomson scattering and bremsstrahlung in the transverse plasma fields. Numerical simulations of Al hollow atom spectra using the ATOMIC code confirm that the impact of keV photons dominates the atom ionization. Our estimates demonstrate that solid-density plasma generated by relativistic optical laser pulses provide the source of a polychromatic keV range X-ray field of 10¹⁸ W/cm² intensity, and allows the study of excited matter in the radiation-dominated regime. High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of hollow atom radiation is found to be a powerful tool to study the properties of high-energy density plasma created by intense X-ray radiation.     

海洋平台TT型管节点的极限强度分析

利用非线性有限元方法分析了轴向力作用下多平面TT节点的极限强度。在数值分析中,采用三维20结点固体单元模拟管道结构和焊缝形状,将结构有限元网格划分为不同区域,每个区域的网格独立产生,通过合并形成整个结构的有限元网格。通过控制位移增量法得到了加载过程中载荷和位移之间的关系曲线。使用ABAQUS软件分析了TT节点在支管端部承受轴向载荷的变形及与外部载荷之间的关系,得到了不同参数影响下的TT节点极限强度。     

半导体芯片化学机械抛光过程中材料去除机理研究进展

就国内外关于集成电路芯片化学机械抛光(CMP)材料去除机理研究的现状和进展进行了评述，总结了集成电路芯片常用介电材料二氧化硅以及导电互连材料钨、铝及铜的化学机械抛光研究现状和进展，进而分析了化学机械抛光过程中化学作用同机械作用的协同效应，指出关于芯片化学机械抛光的材料去除机理尚存在争议，因此有必要在CMP研究领域引入原子力显微镜和电化学显微镜等先进分析测试设备和相关技术，以便在深入揭示CMP过程中材料去除机理的基础上，为更好地控制CMP过程和提高CMP效率提供科学依据．     

Some dynamic properties of axially loaded wire ropes

Results are presented on the transverse damping, the transverse fundamental natural frequency as well as the longitudinal fundamental natural frequency for axially loaded wire ropes. Twelve different wire ropes are tested. During the test, a mass is centrally attached to the rope. The results indicate an increasing transverse damping with an increasing axial load. This damping is primarily attributed to a Coulomb damping. Although core material and construction influence the transverse damping of the wire rope, no relationships are found when comparing this damping with the structural strength, the number of wires used in the rope, the alloy composition or the heat treatment of the rope materials. The transverse and longitudinal fundamental natural frequencies of the axially loaded wire ropes with a mass centrally attached has been satisfactorily modeled.     

Stress-driven morphological instability and catastrophic failure of microdevices

In microdevices, the competition between surface energy and elastic energy could lead at the phenomenon known as stress-driven morphological instability (MI), causing an increase of surface roughness with time. Several different mass transport mechanisms can trigger such a morphological alteration and operate simultaneously: surface and bulk diffusion, evaporation and condensation, chemical reactions. Unstable solids could eventually evolve towards crack-like surfaces thus altering mechanical, electrical and optical properties of the devices or even leading to catastrophic failures by supercritical crack propagation. In this work, a more general kinetic law is employed to estimate the onset of MI, considering the effect of the stress field on the atomic mobility. A more intuitive and straightforward approach is used to determine the stability conditions, where the rate of atomic mass motion is introduced as a stability parameter. The critical loads and wavelengths for the onset of MI, determined as a function of material parameters α and β, are compared with the limiting conditions for the supercritical crack propagation (SC) of a crack-like surface in order to asses if and under which situations catastrophic failures by SC can be observed. Two practical cases are investigated: fixed wavelength (Case I) and arbitrary rough surface with a fixed remote load (Case II). In Case I, absolute and relative threshold loads are found below which MI could never occur and a transitional wavelength over which MI would always lead to SC is introduced. In Case II, it is shown that dominant perturbation for MI would always lead to SC given enough time for the surface to evolve towards a crack-like profile. The influence of the material properties α and β on the critical parameters is also addressed.     

TiH2含量对Al/PTFE动态力学性能和撞击感度的影响

采用混合压制烧结法制备了4种不同TiH₂含量的铝/氢化钛/聚四氟乙烯(Al/TiH₂/PTFE)试件,并基于分离式霍普金森杆和落锤冲击实验,对反应材料的动态压缩力学性能、撞击感度及反应特性进行了研究。实验结果表明,4种材料均存在应变硬化和应变率硬化效应,随加载应变率的提高,材料屈服强度和硬化模量增大。相同加载应变率下,材料屈服强度随TiH₂含量的增加而增高,材料压缩强度则先增高后降低,TiH₂质量分数为5%时材料压缩强度达到最大值166.4 MPa,比Al/PTFE强度提高6.8%。在一定含量范围内(小于5%),加入TiH₂有助于提高Al/PTFE材料撞击感度和能量释放水平,而TiH₂质量分数大于10%时,材料撞击感度和反应剧烈程度则逐渐降低。与Al/PTFE相比,含TiH₂试件反应火光周围有明显的火星喷溅现象,且此现象TiH₂含量越高越显著。