Session GO6: Z Pinches
9:30 AM–12:30 PM, Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Room: Ballroom G
Chair: Stephanie Hansen, Sandia National Laboratories
Abstract ID: BAPS.2011.DPP.GO6.1
Abstract: GO6.00001 : Simulation Dynamics of a Multi-Material Pinch for Neutron Production on the Refurbished Z Simulator
9:30 AM–9:42 AM
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Authors:
Y.K. Chong
(Naval Research Laboratory)
A.L. Velikovich
(Naval Research Laboratory)
J.W. Thornhill
(Naval Research Laboratory)
J. Giuliani
(Naval Research Laboratory)
C.A. Coverdale
(Sandia National Laboratories)
Previous Radiation MHD (RMHD) simulation studies of deuterium (D) double-shell gas-puff Z-pinch implosions driven by the Sandia refurbished Z have shown that their performance can be substantially affected by an introduction of a dense high-Z gas at the outer shell. One of the physical mechanisms playing an important role in the process is the development of multi-D structure {\&} nonuniform gradients due to the RT instabilities. Here, we present the results from the simulations of the multimaterial (MM) gas puff Z-pinch loads from the multiphase version of the Mach2-DDTCRE code. The MM radiation transport is included to account for the radiation emission, absorption {\&} transport from/into different materials. We will investigate the effects of different load materials/configurations such as argon-on-D on the multi-D structures, nonuniform gradients {\&} RT formation/development. We will then characterize various performance metrics, in particular the neutron yields, of the loads as a function of mass ratio and/or radius. A comprehensive analysis of 1D/2D RMHD results will be also made to gauge the operation parameter regime {\&} design of MM gas-puff loads.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2011.DPP.GO6.1