Fundamental science investigations to develop a 6-MV laser triggered gas switch for ZR: first annual report.

Warne, Larry Kevin ; Van Den Avyle, James A. ; Lehr, Jane Marie ; Rose, David (Voss Scientific, Albuquerque, NM) ; Krompholz, Hermann G. (Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX) ; Vela, Russell (Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX) ; Jorgenson, Roy Eberhardt ; Timoshkin, Igor (University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland) ; Woodworth, Joseph Ray ; Prestwich, Kenneth Randel (Voss Scientific, Albuquerque, NM) ; Krile, John (Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX) ; Given, Martin (University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland) ; McKee, G. Randall ; Rosenthal, Stephen Edgar ; Struve, Kenneth William ; Welch, Dale Robert (Voss Scientific, Albuquerque, NM) ; Benwell, Andrew L. (University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri) ; Kovaleski, Scott (University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri) ; LeChien, Keith, R. ; Johnson, David (Titan Pulse Sciences Division) ; Fouracre, R.A. (University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland) ; Yeckel, Chris (University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri) ; Wakeland, Peter Eric (Ktech Corporation, Albuquerque, NM) ; Miller, A. R. (Titan Pulse Sciences Division) ; Hodge, Keith Conquest (Ktech Corporation, Albuquerque, NM) ; Pasik, Michael Francis ; Savage, Mark Edward ; Maenchen, John Eric ; Curry, Randy D. (University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri) ; Feltz, Greg (Ktech Corporation, Albuquerque, NM) ; Bliss, David Emery ; MacGregor, Scott (University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland) ; Corley, J. P. (Ktech Corporation, Albuquerque, NM) ; Anaya, Victor (Ktech Corporation, Albuquerque, NM) ; Wallace, Zachariah (Ktech Corporation, Albuquerque, NM) ; Thoma, Carsten (Voss Scientific, Albuquerque, NM) ; Neuber, Andreas. (Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX)

Sandia National Laboratories

关键词: Modifications;    Plastics;    Breakdown;    Triggers;    Z-Pinch Plasma;   

DOI  :  10.2172/901968
RP-ID  :  SAND2007-0217
RP-ID  :  AC04-94AL85000
RP-ID  :  901968

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来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

In October 2005, an intensive three-year Laser Triggered Gas Switch (LTGS) development program was initiated to investigate and solve observed performance and reliability issues with the LTGS for ZR. The approach taken has been one of mission-focused research: to revisit and reassess the design, to establish a fundamental understanding of LTGS operation and failure modes, and to test evolving operational hypotheses. This effort is aimed toward deploying an initial switch for ZR in 2007, on supporting rolling upgrades to ZR as the technology can be developed, and to prepare with scientific understanding for the even higher voltage switches anticipated needed for future high-yield accelerators. The ZR LTGS was identified as a potential area of concern quite early, but since initial assessments performed on a simplified Switch Test Bed (STB) at 5 MV showed 300-shot lifetimes on multiple switch builds, this component was judged acceptable. When the Z{sub 20} engineering module was brought online in October 2003 frequent flashovers of the plastic switch envelope were observed at the increased stresses required to compensate for the programmatically increased ZR load inductance. As of October 2006, there have been 1423 Z{sub 20} shots assessing a variety of LTGS designs. Numerous incremental and fundamental switch design modifications have been investigated. As we continue to investigate the LTGS, the basic science of plastic surface tracking, laser triggering, cascade breakdown, and optics degradation remain high-priority mission-focused research topics. Significant progress has been made and, while the switch does not yet achieve design requirements, we are on the path to develop successively better switches for rolling upgrade improvements to ZR. This report summarizes the work performed in FY 2006 by the large team. A high-level summary is followed by detailed individual topical reports.