Highlights of experiments with Al and W DPWAS on the University of Michigan's Linear Transformer Driver

Results of joint UNR/UM experiments with low-Z Aluminum (Al) and high-Z Tungsten (W) Double Planar Wire Arrays (DPWA) at the UM low-impedance Linear Transformer Driver (LTD) MAIZE generator (0.1 Ω, 0.5–1 MA, and 100–250 ns) are presented. The DPWAs consisted of two wire planes of micron-scale sized Al and W wires, spaced 3-6 mm apart. Current from the machine causes the DPWA to ablate, creating two sheets of plasma that pinch in the center of the arrays. As the DPWA begins to implode, radiation in a broad range is emitted, and then detected using a PCD (>2.4 keV) and Si-diodes (>1.4 keV), x-ray pinhole cameras, spectrometers, and a fast, visible light camera which captures plasma evolution via self-emission. The differences and similarities of Al and W DPWAs are summarized. The research was supported by the NNSA under DOE grant DE-NA0003047.