Magnetic Flux Compression by Magnetically Imploded Metallic Foils

TLDR

The study describes experiments with and without auxiliary injection of magnetic flux to investigate magnetic flux compression by imploding metallic foils. A 136‑kJ capacitor‑bank drives theta‑pinch implosions of metallic foils, with foil velocity limited by thickness, density, and an electrical‑heating parameter calibrated from exploding‑wire experiments. Aluminum foils reached 2.3 mm µs⁻¹ and 23 % kinetic‑energy conversion, and thick foils compressed enclosed magnetic flux to over 2 MG.

Abstract

A 136-kJ capacitor-bank energy source was used to implode metallic foils in a ``theta'' pinch. Aluminum foils accelerated by this scheme attained a velocity of 2.3 mm/μsec and a capacitive-to-kinetic energy conversion efficiency of 23%. An upper limit for the foil velocity depended upon the foil thickness and density, together with a parameter which accounted for electrical heating of the foil. This parameter was determined in exploding wire studies. Experiments with and without auxiliary injection of magnetic flux are described. Thick, imploding foils have been found to be capable of compressing enclosed magnetic flux to more than 2 MG.