Target acceleration by sub-microsecond underwater electrical explosions of wire arrays

D Maler,S Efimov,Ya E Krasik

doi:10.1063/5.0079887

D Maler, S Efimov + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0079887

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Abstract

Experiments of a target accelerated by the shockwaves and water flow generated by underwater sub-μs timescale electrical explosion of a planar wire array are presented. The results of this experiment are compared with previous results [Maler et al., J. Appl. Phys. 129, 034901 (2021)] in which efficient target acceleration by μs-timescale underwater explosions of planar wire arrays was obtained. Although less energy is deposited into the wire array in the present experiments, the target acquires similar and even higher velocities compared to the previous research. This is considered to be associated with the higher energy density deposition rate, inducing faster radial wire expansion, and, consequently, the generation of a stronger shockwave and faster water flow behind its front.

Highlights

The study of the properties of matter at extreme conditions (>109 Pa, > 104 K0) is imperative for understanding phenomena where such states are reached in planetary astrophysics[2] and confined fusion.[3]
We carried out numerical modeling of the target acceleration by the shock and water flow behind the shock front for the conditions appearing in the experiments described in Sec
Experimental results showed that using our sub-μs MAGEN generator, applied for the underwater electrical explosion of planar wire arrays, allows the generation of a planar strong shockwave and water flow, which, in turn, accelerate a target to high velocities

Summary

Introduction

The study of the properties of matter at extreme conditions (>109 Pa, > 104 K0) is imperative for understanding phenomena where such states are reached in planetary astrophysics[2] and confined fusion.[3] To achieve such states of matter, what is often described as warm dense plasma, extremely high energy density deposition should be realized. One of the techniques used to explore matter under extreme conditions is shock compression of the target material using the flyer plate method,[4] involving the acceleration of a target to high velocities. This target hits a material sample of interest, generating strong shocks inside it and resulting in compression to high densities without significantly heating it.[5] This approach requires the application of large pulsed power facilities such as the Z-generator,[6] chemical explosives,[7] or gas guns.[8].

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