The X-1 Z-pinch driver

Abstract

X-1 is a program initiative to develop the next-generation laboratory X-ray source using fast Z-pinch drivers. X-1 will provide unique applications utility to high-energy density physics, inertial confinement fusion, and radiation effects simulation research. The advent in the 1980's of pulsed power accelerators capable of delivering tens of terawatts to imploding plasma loads led to a quantum improvement in Z-pinch performance by reducing the implosion time to less than 100 ns. Further progress in Z-pinch performance capabilities was achieved in 1996, using a cylindrical wire-array load, and led to the production of 85 TW, 350-500 kJ of X-rays using the Saturn accelerator at Sandia. The PBFA-II accelerator has been converted to drive Z-pinch loads (PBFA-Z), and will provide a factor of 2 increase in current, and 4 in energy, over that provided by Saturn. X-1 is the next step beyond PBFA-Z and, as presently envisioned, represents a factor of 8 increase in energy. It will require a /spl sim/360 TW, /spl sim/100 ns pulsed power generator to impart /spl sim/16 MJ kinetic energy to the reference imploding plasma load. A baseline concept for X-1 has been developed. It utilizes a highly modular, robust architecture with demonstrated performance reliability.