Optimization design of a wire array load for Z-pinch plasma implosion experiments

Abstract

The Z-pinch implosion from a wire array load is one of the ways to generate strong x-ray radiation. Under the conditions of a pulsed power accelerator, the x-ray radiation yield is determined by the initial diameter chosen and mass per length of a wire array load. In this paper, the effects of the mass, the array diameter and wire diameter, as well as the array material on the implosion time, the implosion trajectory, the implosion velocity and the kinetic energy are estimated by using an infinitely thin annular shell model. The relationship among the implosion time, the implosion kinetic energy and the initial array load parameters is analyzed. The optimized parameters of a wire array load are obtained under the given conditions of a driven current. Our conclusions by using the thin shell model are in agreement with the experimental results. Hence, the thin shell model can be used to design a wire array load of Z-pinch implosion experiment.