Lower bounds for the kinetic energy and resistance of z-pinches on Z

Abstract

We present our analysis obtaining from experimental data approximate lower bounds for the kinetic energy and magnetic flux dissipation for single and nested wire arrays and gas puffs on the former and present configurations of the Z pulsed- power accelerator at Sandia National Laboratories. The procedure we employ, applied to electrical and x-ray energy measurements, utilizes the pinch energy balance to determine lower bounds for the plasma kinetic energy just before the main pinch reaches the axis and for the magnetic flux dissipation during stagnation. From the lower bound for the dissipated flux a lower bound for pinch resistance after x-ray peak power is estimated. We present the results of applying this Energy Balance Procedure (EBP) to tungsten wire array, nested wire array and gas puff z-pinches.