Laser diagnostics for accelerator region studies on the FuZE-Q sheared-flow stabilized Z-pinch devicePaul C. Campbell¹, K.D. Morgan¹, L.A. Morton¹, A.C. Hossack¹, C.R. Castleberry¹, N. van Rossum¹, C.S. Adams¹, B.J. Levitt¹¹Zap Energy

Zap Energy is studying the sheared-flow-stabilized (SFS) Z-pinch for fusion energy applications on the FuZE and FuZE-Q devices. Several laser diagnostics, including interferometry, schlieren imaging, Thomson scattering, and digital holographic interferometry (DHI) are deployed on both devices to study the various phases of the SFS Z-pinch. Recent experimental efforts have been centered around the acceleration phase. To better study this phase, a new outer electrode was designed to improve diagnostic access on FuZE-Q. The FuZE-Q interferometry system has been expanded to include roughly 16 chords spread out across the accelerator and compression regions of the device to take advantage of this new design. Data from this system will be presented which is used to determine the symmetry of the plasma slug and the speed at which it moves from the acceleration to compression regions. Supporting Schlieren and DHI data will also be shown.