Diagnostics Package Used on the Sphinx Machine for Wire Array Z-Pinch Characterization

Abstract

Summary form only given. The Sphinx machine is based on the 1 microsecond LTD technology, and is used to implode nested aluminum wire arrays. Diagnostics have been continuously fielded and improved to characterize Z-pinch implosion, radiation pulse, generator behaviour as well as hohlraum results. Lines of sight consist of 16 radial lines of sight through apertures in the return current can, an axial through a 5 mm hole in the anode electrode, and a radial line of sight for hohlraum. Z-pinch imagine is done with a 2D Optical framing camera, a time resolved X-UV camera and two time integrated pinhole cameras with adapted set of filter for Al wire array. Two optical streak cameras (one coupled with a CCD detector) show the pinch implosion process. ID continuously time resolved camera, made of 16 X-UV diodes, is used to study zippering of the implosion. In order to study the X-ray pulse and the hohlraum temperature, vitreous carbon X-ray diodes (XRD), a set of filtered diamond photoconducting detector (PCD), and Bolometers (bare nickel and filtered gold bolometer, respectively, for total yield and kshell yield) are fielded on Sphinx. Spectroscopv data are obtained thanks to a time integrated spectrometer (KAP crystal) and on going a time resolved spectrometer filled with X-UV diodes. In addition for radiation effects measurement, piezoelectric quartz gauges and Visar interferometer are used. F.lectrical measurements are made with Rogowski coils and Bdot probes. On some shots, Bdot probes are installed on both electrodes between outer and inner array and inside inner array to obtain further information on the implosion process.