Characterization of Fine Metallic Wires for Wire-Array $Z$-Pinch Experiments

Abstract

The Z Facility at Sandia National Laboratories can produce >;2 MJ of X-ray energy with peak powers >;280 TW. Achieving optimal load performance requires the control of the implosion time of the Z-pinch with respect to the current pulse shape from the pulsed-power driver. Additionally, accurate estimates of the implosion time are required for the precise timing of diagnostics used to study the implosion. A key aspect for assessing this load-driver match, both computationally and experimentally, is the mass of the wire array. In this paper, we present new methods to characterize wire arrays. Accurate mass measurements were made of individual wires. Individual wire diameters were measured from a sampling of wire sections, and a statistical analysis was performed. Finally, the wire arrays were imaged to ensure and document the quality of the final wire array. Data provide an estimate of the load mass that can be used to track experimental trends, provide accurate implosion time predictions for diagnostic timing, and provide input for computational models.