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.     

Investigation of characteristics of hard x-rays produced during implosions of wire array loads on 1.6 MA Zebra generator

Experimental study of the characteristics of hard x-ray (HXR) emission from multi-planar wire arrays and compact-cylindrical wire arrays (CCWA) plasmas on the 1.6 MA Zebra generator at UNR has been carried out. The characteristics of HXR produced by multi-planar wire arrays such as single, double, and triple planar as well as compact-cylindrical wire arrays made from Al, Cu, brass, Mo, and W were analyzed. Data from spatially resolved time-integrated and spatially integrated time-gated x-ray spectra recorded by LiF spectrometers, x-ray pinhole images, and signals from fast x-ray detectors have been used to study spatial distribution and time history of HXR emission with different loads. The dependence of the HXR yield and power on the wire material, geometry of the load and load mass is observed. Both HXR yield and power are minimum for Al and maximum for W loads. The HXR yield increases with the rise of the atomic number of the material for all loads. The presence of aluminum wires in the load with the main material such as Cu, Mo, or W in combined wire arrays decreases HXR yield. For W plasma, the intensity of cold L-shell spectral lines (1–1.5 Å) correlates with corresponding amplitude of HXR signals which may suggest the evidence of generation of electron beams in plasma. It is found that HXRs are generated from different plasma regions by the interaction of electron-beam with the plasma trailing mass, with the material of anode and due to thermal radiation from plasma bright spots. The theoretical assumption of thermal mechanism of HXR emission predicts the different trends for dependency of HXR power on atomic number and load mass.     

Time-gated measurements of electron beam generated Kα emission lines from brass planar wire array implosions

The relative amount of Kα radiation emitted by partially ionized copper and zinc from planar wire arrays on the 1 MA Zebra generator at the University of Nevada, Reno, does not correspond to the composition (70% copper, 30% zinc) of the array's brass wires. For example, the copper Kα line at 8 keV was observed to be much stronger than would be expected from zinc's Kα radiation at 8.6 keV, but this ratio also reversed, more emission from zinc than from copper, during the X-ray pulse. An excess of Kα photons from copper is consistent with a beam of electrons with energies above copper's K-edge but below that of zinc, but the opposite case is perplexing. Preferential ablation of Zn over Cu early in the current pulse could be a contributing factor, but opacity effects are not. Synthetic spectra for brass computed by a non-LTE collisional-radiative model that includes an electron beam component compare well with observed K-shell spectra, and suggest the parent ions of the Kα emission. These ionization stages are consistent with L-shell spectra. This comparison also indicates that the total energy in the electron beam increases towards the end of the radiation pulse while the electron temperature decreases. The crucial diagnostic in this measurement is a time-resolved X-ray spectrometer based on a LiF crystal.     

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.     

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.     

Atomic physics of relativistic high contrast laser-produced plasmas in experiments on Leopard laser facility at UNR

The results of the recent experiments focused on study of x-ray radiation from multicharged plasmas irradiated by relativistic (I > 10¹⁹ W/cm²) sub-ps laser pulses on Leopard laser facility at NTF/UNR are presented. These shots were done under different experimental conditions related to laser pulse and contrast. In particular, the duration of the laser pulse was 350 fs or 0.8 ns and the contrast was varied from high (10^?7) to moderate (10^?5). The thin laser targets (from 4 to 750 μm) made of a broad range of materials (from Teflon to iron and molybden to tungsten and gold) were utilized. Using the x-ray diagnostics including the high-precision spectrometer with resolution R ～ 3000 and a survey spectrometer, we have observed unique spectral features that are illustrated in this paper. Specifically, the observed L-shell spectra for Fe targets subject to high intensity lasers (～10¹⁹ W/cm²) indicate electron beams, while at lower intensities (～10¹⁶ W/cm²) or for Cu targets there is much less evidence for an electron beam. In addition, K-shell Mg features with dielectronic satellites from high-Rydberg states, and the new K-shell F features with dielectronic satellites including exotic transitions from hollow ions are highlighted.     

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.     

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.     

K-α emission spectroscopic analysis from a Cu Z-pinch

Advances in diagnostic techniques at the Sandia Z-facility have facilitated the production of very detailed spectral data. In particular, data from the copper nested wire-array shot Z1975 provides a wealth of information about the implosion dynamics and ionization history of the pinch. Besides the dominant valence K- and L-shell lines in Z1975 spectra, K-α lines from various ionization stages were also observed. K-shell vacancies can be created from inner-shell excitation and ionization by hot electrons and from photo-ionization by high-energy photons; these vacancies are subsequently filled by Auger decay or resonance fluorescence. The latter process produces the K-α emission. For plasmas in collisional equilibrium, K-α emission usually occurs from highly charged ions due to the high electron temperatures required for appreciable excitation of the K-α transitions. Our simulation of Z1975 was carried out with the NRL 1-D DZAPP non-LTE radiation-hydrodynamics model, and the resulting K- and L-shell synthetic spectra are compared with measured radiation data. Our investigation will focus on K-α generation by both impacting electrons and photons. Synthetic K-α spectra will be generated either by self-consistently calculating the K-shell vacancy production in a full Z-pinch simulation, or by post-processing data from a simulation. The analysis of these K-α lines as well as K- and L-shell emission from valence electrons should provide quantitative information about the dynamics of the pinch plasma.     

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.     

基于Z箍缩X射线源的热-力学效应实验

材料或结构对强脉冲X射线的响应如热激波的传播和喷射冲量等,统称为X射线热-力学效应,在抗辐射加固研究、天体物理、行星科学等领域具有重要应用。利用驱动电流近10 MA脉冲功率装置上的丝阵Z箍缩X射线源开展了初步的热-力学效应实验。采用20 mm直径的双层铝丝阵产生了约230 kJ的X射线总辐射能,其中铝的K壳层产额约为30 kJ,距离源中心5 cm处的样品上的X射线能注量为732 J/cm2。受辐照样品为厚度2 mm、直径10 mm的铝制圆盘,其背面设置有铝衬套,样品与衬套的总质量为585 mg。采用全光纤光子多普勒测速（PDV）系统来测量受辐照样品后表面的运动过程。PDV测量的样品后表面速度历程显示,当热激波到达后表面时的自由面速度为2.12 km/s,样品最终的整体运动速度为180 m/s。根据冲击波关系式以及动量守恒原理,推导出X射线在样品中产生的热激波应力为19.2 GPa,单位面积上的喷射冲量为1341 Pa·s,进而由喷射冲量和X射线能注量测量结果可以推出冲量耦合系数为1.83 Pa·s·cm2/J。同时,对实验测量结果的可靠性和不确定度进行了讨论和分析。这些实验结果初步验证了将PDV技术应用于热-力学效应研究的可行性。     

复合圆柱壳冲击压缩数值模拟及稳定性研究

针对复合圆柱壳在炸药爆轰作用下的动力学响应及在此过程中伴随的失稳问题,研究了其制造工艺中可能出现的缺陷以及圆柱壳中铜线螺旋角和直径对复合圆柱壳稳定性产生的影响。采用SPH-FEM耦合算法,建立了复合圆柱壳二维细节模型,并提出了一种基于圆柱壳内壁粒子速度历史的失稳判据,计算了在不同参数条件下复合圆柱壳的失稳时间及对应的压缩率,对影响复合圆柱壳稳定性的因素进行了评估。分析结果表明,在复合圆柱壳制备过程中存在的折返层缺陷和铜线直径对复合圆柱壳的稳定性有较大影响,而螺旋角度对其稳定性影响不大。     

喷射沉积Al-Zn-Mg-Cu合金GP区应变场的定量测试

为定量测试喷射沉积合金GP区周围的晶格应变的分布,利用喷射成形技术制备了Al12Zn2.4Mg1.1Cu合金。随后对合金进行热挤压、758K固溶2小时和393K时效20小时处理。利用高分辨透射电子显微镜(High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy,HRTEM)和几何相位分析(Geometric Phase Analysis,GPA)软件对GP区的结构和应变场进行了测量和分析。结果表明,GP区附近的应变值在各方向差别较大,沿GP区惯习面法线方向的应变最大(εxx=-0.092),与惯习面平行方向上的应变最小(εyy=-0.004)。该项结果可解释GP区附近位错运动的差异:由于应变场在各方向上存在较大差别,产生的应变强化效果不同,导致阻碍位错运动的能力也有所不同。     

Investigation of the influence of inner-shell photoionization and photoexcitation on the Heα spectrum in photoionized plasmas

The present paper investigates the influence of inner shell photoionization and photoexcitation on the He_α, i.e., the 1s² to 1s2p transition in He-like ions, and the associated satellite spectra in photoionized plasmas. A comparison of the importance of these processes is made relative to other atomic processes as a function of the electron temperature and irradiation conditions. For the formation of the He_α and the satellite spectra, the K-shell photoionization is found to have significant contribution under low radiation temperature and/or intensity, when lithium- and beryllium-like ions have high abundance, but highly ionized H-like ions are rare.     

Density functional theory study on the influence of cation ratio on the host layer structure of Zn/Al double hydroxides

A density functional theory (DFT) study has been carried out for [Znn-1Al(OH2)n+6(OH)2n-2]3+(n=3-6) and [Znn-1 Al(OH2)2n-2(OH)2n-2 ]3+ (n=7) clusters,which include the basic structural information of the brucite-like lattice structure of Zn/Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with Zn/Al molar ratio (R) in the range 2-6,in order to understand the effect of the Zn/Al ratio on the structure and stability of binary Zn/Al LDHs.Based on systematic calculations of the geometric parameters and formation energies of the cluster models,it was found that it is possible for Zn2+ and Al3+ cations to replace Mg2+ isomorphously in the brucite-like structure with different R values,resulting in differences in microstructure of the clusters and unit cell parameter a of the Zn/Al LDHs.Analysis of the geometry and bonding around the trivalent Al3+ or divalent Zn2+ cations reveals that Al3+ plays a more significant role than Zn2+ in determining the microstructure properties,formation and bonding stability of the corresponding ZnRAl clusters when R＜5,while the influence of Zn2+ becomes the dominant factor in the case of R≥5.These findings are in good agreement with experiments.This work provides a detailed electronic-level understanding of how the composition of cations affects the microstructure and stability of Zn-containing binary LDH layers.     

Two-dimensional radiation MHD modeling assessment of designs for argon gas puff distributions for future experiments on the refurbished Z machine

Argon Z-pinch experiments are to be performed on the refurbished Z machine (which we will refer to as ZR here in order to distinguish between pre-refurbishment Z) at Sandia National Laboratories with a new 8 cm diameter double-annulus gas puff nozzle constructed by Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation (AASC). The gas exits the nozzle from an outer and inner annulus and a central jet. The amount of gas present in each region can be varied. Here a two-dimensional radiation MHD (2DRMHD) model, MACH2-TCRE, with tabular collisional radiative equilibrium atomic kinetics is used to theoretically investigate stability and K-shell emission properties of several measured (interferometry) initial gas distributions emanating from this new nozzle. Of particular interest is to facilitate that the distributions employed in future experiments have stability and K-shell emission properties that are at least as good as the Titan nozzle generated distribution that was successfully fielded in earlier experiments on the Z machine before it underwent refurbishment. The model incorporates a self-consistent calculation for non-local thermodynamic equilibrium kinetics and ray-trace based radiation transport. This level of detail is necessary in order to model opacity effects, non-local radiation effects, and the high temperature state of K-shell emitting Z-pinch loads. Comparisons of radiation properties and stability of measured AASC gas profiles are made with that of the distribution used in the pre-refurbished Z experiments. Based on these comparisons, an optimal K-shell emission producing initial gas distribution is determined from among the AASC nozzle measured distributions and predictions are made for K-shell yields attainable from future ZR experiments.     

爆炸加载下装配垫片对金属柱壳膨胀断裂影响研究

采用多普勒光纤探针测速技术（Doppler pins system，DPS，又称全光纤位移干涉测速技术）和高速摄影技术，研究装配垫片对金属柱壳膨胀断裂的影响，获得了有无垫片对应柱壳外表面位置的速度曲线和垫片对柱壳膨胀断裂影响明显的高速摄影图像。实验结果表明:与无垫片区域相比，垫片区域的柱壳外表面经历了先凸起后内凹的过程，导致垫片对应柱壳的径向运动位移发生反复错位，最终低于无垫片区域约0.34 mm，该位移差可能导致柱壳发生径向剪切断裂；实验结果还表明，在垫片与间隙交界处两侧（沿垫片方向约7.5°、沿间隙方向约9°）处各增加了一条裂纹，该断裂模式既不同于环向拉伸断裂，也不同于45°的剪切断裂，而是由垫片/间隙边界产生的两束稀疏应力波传到柱壳外表面引起的扰动影响所致，这个新的断裂模式与柱壳材料的动态力学性能密切相关。数值模拟结果表明，装配垫片对柱壳断裂机制影响不仅包含该处附加的质量效应，还应考虑炸药通过垫片后作用在柱壳上的冲击加载幅值变化、冲击加载时序与其他部位不同步的差异，以及垫片/间隙交界处引起的表面波传播对柱壳断裂模式的后续发展行为的影响。