Zero to 1, 600 m/s in 40 microns: Sensitive pulse shaping for materials characterization on Z. (2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Porwitzky, Andrew J.; Seagle, Christopher T.; Jensen, Brian J.
• Is Part Of: Procedia engineering. Volume 204(2017)
• Page Start: 337
• Page End: 343
• Publication Date: 2017
• Subjects: high energy density -- dynamic material properties -- pulse shaping -- equation of state -- Z Machine -- laser triggered gas switch -- timing; Engineering -- Congresses; Engineering -- Periodicals; Engineering; Conference proceedings; Periodicals; 620.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2017.09.755
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1877-7058

Abstract

Abstract: Dynamic materials properties experiments on Sandia National Laboratories Z Machine require increasingly precise electrical current pulse shaping. In the experiment described here, a copper flyer plate is accelerated from rest to 1, 600 m/s over a 40 micron flight gap in 50 ns. This flyer then impacts a cerium sample, shock melting the cerium, before subsequent quasi-isentropic ramping to mega-bar pressures. Through predictive simulations, postdicted analysis, and a new computational tool for characterizing inherent Z Machine timing accuracy, qualitative estimates of pulse controllability and experimental design robustness are arrived upon.