An insulator-metallic phase transition cascade for improved electromagnetic flux-compression in θ-pinch geometry

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science Vol. 32; no. 5; pp. 1960 - 1965
• Main Authors: NOVAC, Bucur M, SMITH, Ivor R, RANKIN, Douglas F, HUBBARD, Martin
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 01-10-2004; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Electrical engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Generation of magnetic fields; magnets; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Magnetic components, instruments and techniques; Magnetic fields; Physics; Magnetic flux; Shock waves; Theta pinch; Metal-insulator transition; Implosions; High field; Magnetic fields; Magnetic compression; Experimental study; Capacitor storage
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/TPS.2004.835445

During an initial phase of an ongoing research program at Loughborough University, ultrahigh magnetic fields of up to 300 T (3 MG) have been generated. These have been produced using only 63 kJ from a fast capacitor bank to implode an aluminum liner in a /theta/-pinch geometry, and 14.7 kJ from a slow capacitor bank to provide an initial magnetic field. The paper analyzes various ways of improving both the /theta/-pinch magnetic flux-compression efficiency and its reproducibility. As a practical illustration, experimental evidence is presented to demonstrate the benefits obtained from the use of an insulator-metallic phase transition cascade made from powder aluminum.