Study of colliding-shell configurations to reduce the effects of magnetic Rayleigh-Taylor on imploding liners

Abstract

We present computational studies on the use of colliding shell configurations to mitigate the effects of magnetic Rayleigh-Taylor (MRT) on the inner liner. Two-dimensional MHD calculations of liners have been performed that have pre-formed, single wavelength perturbations. Specifying the perturbation allows us to follow the evolution of a specific disturbance with little ambiguity. This technique has been confirmed in numerous experiments on the PEGASUS II machine. An inner liner is located at a smaller radius than the outer, driver liner. The radius is chosen so that the perturbation will grow to large amplitude before impact. To minimize shock effects, a low-density pad is placed between the two liners. This pad may be either plastic or a magnetic field. Results of the computational study are presented.