Physical vapor deposited aluminum foils for high energy density physics experiments

Abstract

Fabrication of cylindrical aluminum load foils and graded thickness aluminum vacuum opening switch foils is described. Load foils are vaporized by Joule heating and imploded by J/spl times/B forces to stagnate on axis and create soft X-rays. Plasma flow switch foils are mounted to shunt the vacuum power flow channel of a coaxial gun and are vaporized by Joule heating. The resultant graded density plasma is magnetically driven down the annular power flow channel. Opening switch action occurs when the shunt plasma crosses a load slot in the center conductor. These foil components have been used in both the Pegasus and Procyon experiments.