Characteristics of high-power radiating imploding discharge with cold start

A qualitative model of the dynamics of a multiterawatt radiating Z-pinch with cold start and high rate of current rise is proposed. The model is used to analyze discharges with currents I ～ 2–5 MA (with dI/dt > 10¹³ A/s) through uniform or structured plasma-producing loads, including wire arrays. The most important consequence of cold start is that spatially nonuniform plasma production is prolonged to almost the entire current rise time. Under these conditions, the Ampére force begins to play a dominant role in the plasma dynamics before the plasma-producing load is completely transformed into an accelerated plasma. The results of computations of wire-array vaporization are presented. A formula is proposed for estimating the highest attainable velocity of plasma flow into a heterogeneous liner driven by the Ampére force. It is shown that local imbalance between radial motion of the produced plasma and supply of the plasma-producing substance to be ionized leads to axially nonuniform breakthrough of magnetic flux into the liner, which precedes plasma collapse. The magnetic-flux breakthrough gives rise to a chaotic azimuthal-axial plasma structure consisting of radial plasma jets of relatively small diameter, which is called a radial plasma rainstorm. The breaking-through azimuthal magnetic flux obstructs further current flow in the breakthrough region. Analyses of Z-pinch implosion based on the theory of Rayleigh-Taylor instability or the snowplow model are incorrect under the plasma-rainstorm conditions. The processes taking place in a stagnant Z-pinch include conversion of the energy carried by the current-generated magnetic field into turbulent MHD flow of the ion component of the plasma, its convective mixing with magnetic field, heating, energy transfer from ions to electrons, and emission from the plasma. Under typical experimental conditions, emission plays a key role in the energy balance in an imploding pinch. Z-pinch is modeled by an electric-circuit component that has a time-dependent nonlinear impedance and consumes the magnetic energy supplied by a generator through a magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL). The peak power reached in the circuit is comparable to the peak soft X-ray power output emitted by the pinch in terms of magnitude and timing. Optimum matching conditions are formulated for the generator-MITL-pinch circuit.     

New method for calculating the potential energy of deformed nuclei within the liquid-drop model

The method that we previously developed for going over from double volume integrals to double surface integrals in calculating the Coulomb energy of nuclei that have a sharp surface is generalized to the case of nuclei where the range of nuclear forces is finite and where the nuclear surface is diffuse. New formulas for calculating the Coulomb and the nuclear energy of deformed nuclei are obtained within this approach. For a spherically symmetric nucleus, in which case there is an analytic solution to the problem in question, the results are compared with those that are quoted in the literature, and it is shown that the respective results coincide identically. A differential formulation of the method developed previously by Krappe, Nix, and Sierk for going over from double volume integrals to double surface integrals is proposed here on the basis of the present approach.     

Currently available methods of industrial nanodiamond synthesis

The main theoretical aspects of detonation decomposition of powerful mixed explosives with a negative oxygen balance accompanied by the formation of nanodiamonds (ultrafine-dispersed diamonds, UDDs) are described. The basic UDD synthesis parameters are considered, and the expediency of using trotyl-hexogen alloys is shown. The conditions of diamond phase conservation in the detonation products are specified. Various versions of industrial detonation synthesis of UDDs are considered. The most efficient technology of chemical cleaning of UDDs (with nitric acid at high temperatures and pressures) for producing UDDs with the highest purity is described.

     

Plasmon-induced terahertz absorption and photoconductivity in a grid-gated double-quantum-well structure

The terahertz absorption spectra of plasmon modes in a grid-gated double-quantum-well field-effect transistor structure is analyzed theoretically and numerically using the scattering matrix approach and is shown to faithfully reproduce strong resonant features of recent experimental observations of terahertz photo-conductivity in such a structure.     

Magnetization vector field in a uniaxial ferromagnetic film

Technical Physics - Analytical models for the magnetization vector field B m in a uniaxial ferromagnetic film are studied. Some of them are found to closely approximate B m even if the quality...     

Theoretical analysis of the formation of a layered ice structure at the surface of a plate placed in a flow of a supercooled water aerosol

The motion of the front of crystallization and the growth of a film at the surface of a plate are analyzed in the case of a laminar and in the case of a turbulent flow mode. Conditions are determined under which there occurs a transition from a matt inhomogeneous structure to a transparent homogeneous structure of ice. It is shown that, for a film to be steadily preserved at the plate surface, the film thickness must be larger than a critical equilibrium-thickness value h _b.c, in which case a transparent homogeneous structure of ice is formed. Otherwise, the film at the plate surface is unstable and disappears in the course of time. The icing of aircrafts is the most important application of the results obtained in this study.     

Thermoelectric effects in layered conductors in a strong magnetic field

Thermoelectric effects are investigated theoretically in layered conductors with a quasi-two-dimensional electron energy spectrum of arbitrary type in a strong magnetic field. It is shown that, at temperatures sufficiently low for quantization of the orbital motion of charge carriers in a magnetic field to be required, there exist giant quantum oscillations of the thermoelectric field. Thermoelectric emf is studied as a f unction of the orientation of the magnetic field with respect to the layers; experimental investigation of this function allows one to determine the velocity distribution of conduction electrons on the Fermi surface.     

Model for describing the production of Centauro events and strangelets in heavy-ion collisions

A phenomenological model for describing the production of Centauro events in relativistic heavy-ion collisions is discussed. The model provides quantitative predictions for kinematical variables, for the baryon number, and for the masses of a Centauro fireball and of its decay products. A Centauro fireball decays predominantly into nucleons, strange hyperons, and possibly strangelets. Centauro events in Pb + Pb collisions at the LHC energy are simulated for the CASTOR detector. The signatures of these events are discussed in detail.