A three-term equation of state is used for the simulation of hydrodynamic shock phenomena. The reliability of it is tested by comparing the isotherms and shock Hugoniots obtained from it with available experimental data. This is illustrated for three typical materials Al, Pt and Au, which are of considerable interest for inertially confined thermonuclear fusion studies. We observe that reliable equation of state (EOS) data can be generated for nonmetallic substances like CH2. The EOS is used in the simulations of laser-driven shocks in double-layered target aluminum on gold (Al-Au) using hydrodynamic code employing a simplified laser-absorption model. The output from it is compared with the recent laser-driven shock experiments of Koeniget al.

In a self-consistent manner, the total power for linear inverse Compton scattering between a Gaussian electron beam colliding head on with a Gaussian laser beam is obtained. The theory is shown to agree with well-known limiting cases. Coupling among harmonic modes is explicitly shown in the resultant power relation. Even so, for the parameters of interest, harmonic modes are negligible compared to the fundamental mode. Total power calculations are of importance in detector calibration. The theory is applied using practical linear accelerator and laser parameters.

This paper presents a simple but complete 2D model for helical flux-compression generators that overcomes many of the limitations present in existing zero-dimensional models. The generator circuit is effectively decomposed into separate z and; current carrying circuits, with each of the; circuits (rings) corresponding to a different current. Use is also made of a technique by which these rings are sequentially switched out of circuit. The approach proposed opens the way to a full understanding of the behavior of cascade systems of generators inductively coupled by dynamic transformers using the so-called flux-trapping technique. In addition, the model can also yield an important insight into the phenomena that differentiates the performance of small generators when primed by a capacitor, a battery, or an externally produced magnetic field. Finally, the numerical code developed in the paper can readily be adapted to model high-energy and high-current generators in which the helical coil and the armature are of variable geometry. Valuable design information is provided on the magnetic and the electric field distributions within the generator and on the likely radial and axial movements of the stator turns.

In a number of single-shot applications and experiments at remote locations where flux-compression generators provide the most practicable power source, it may be necessary to use cascaded generators with inductive coupling between them to provide the required power amplification. The complexity of the resulting system appears to have so far inhibited the development of any simple but complete numerical code, and has prevented a full understanding of the complex action of the overall system. The present paper meets these requirements, by extending an existing simple 2D helical generator code, and shows how this can be used to solve problems arising from the design stage of a prototype system.

Space-resolved spectra of line-shaped laser-produced magnesium plasmas in the normal direction of the target have been obtained using a pinhole crystal spectrograph. These spectra are treated by a spectrum analyzing code for obtaining the true spectra and fine structures of overlapped lines. The spatial distributions of electron temperature and density along the normal direction of the target surface have been obtained with different spectral diagnostic techniques. Especially, the electron density plateaus beyond the critical surface in line-shaped magnesium plasmas have been obtained with a fitting technique applied to the Stark-broadened Ly-α wings of hydrogenic ions. The difference of plasma parameters between those obtained by different diagnostic techniques is discussed. Other phenomena, such as plasma satellites, population inversion, etc., which are observed in magnesium plasmas, are also presented.

A maximum electric field E = 2.65 GV/m with an accelerated electron current of 1 KA has been obtained, for pulse lengths of 130 ps, in an electron gun based on Pulse Power Technology. This is the highest accelerating field ever achieved in the presence of such a large current. Measurements of beam emittance and energy from 0.4 to 2.65 MeV show that the scaling of the invariant emittance with electric field and with beam current is consistent with theoretical predictions. A few applications of high-gradient acceleration are discussed.

Experiments have been performed to investigate charge state and energy loss of 5.9-MeV/u uranium ions in a partially ionized dense argon plasma with 1017 ≤ ne ≤ 1019 cm−3 and 1 ≤ Te ≤ 10 eV. The charge state of the ions was found to be equal to the equilibrium charge state in cold gas. The energy loss offered a useful tool for plasma density diagnostics. Spectroscopic measurements using the electron collision broadening of ArII- and ArIII-lines in the visible and UV spectral region confirm this plasma density data.

Light ion beam inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is a concept in which intense beams of low atomic number ions would be used to drive ICF targets to ignition and gain. Here, results from numerical simulations are presented describing the operation of an indirect-drive light-ion ICF target designed for a commercial power plant application. The simulations indicate that the ICF target, consisting of an X-ray-driven capsule embedded in a spherical foam-filled hohlraum, will produce a fusion energy output of over 500 MJ when driven with lithium ion beams containing a total input energy of 8 MJ.