High Energy Density Plasma Jet Studies in the ZaP-HD Experiment

The ZaP-HD Flow Z-Pinch device produces high energy density plasma jets that are magnetically confined in a Z-pinch configuration with a 50 cm length and 0.5 cm diameter. Conditions in the pinch exceed temperatures of 800 eV and densities of 2e17 cm$^{\mathrm{-3}}$. Plasma properties are characterized with a suite of diagnostics including magnetic field probes, digital holographic interferometry, Doppler spectroscopy, and fast-framing photography. Magnetic field probes indicate an extended quiescent period. Recent investigations include impingement of the high-speed, high-energy-density plasma jet onto a solid body. A 0.3 cm diameter boron nitride rod is inserted into the Z-pinch plasma to study plasma-material interactions. Digital holographic interferometry produces a two-dimensional map of the plasma density around the tripping probe. Fast framing photography images laminar and turbulent boundary layer behavior. Spectroscopic data indicate subsonic flow speeds throughout the pulse. A time-resolved ion Doppler spectrometer is developed to produce velocity contours for the entire plasma pulse.