High-energy-density physics researches based on induction accelerator and pulse power technology

Plasma driven by pulse power devices and high power ion accelerators are of interest, concerning researches on high-energy-density physics. Dense, cylindrically evolving plasmas are produced using pulse power driven exploding discharges in water. The experimental results show that the wire plasma is tamped and stabilized by the surrounding water and it evolves with axial symmetry, through a strongly coupled plasma state. Shock-heated, high temperature plasmas are also produced in a compact pulse power device. The results show that strong, quasi-steady, and one-dimensional shock waves can be produced in Xe gas filled in the device. In particular, at a low initial pressure condition, the shock Mach number reaches 250. This indicates that the shock heated region is dominated by radiation processes. In contrast to the pulse powered plasmas, properly moderated high power ion beams can make a well-defined plasma over a wider range of density-temperature space. Advantages and attainable parameter region of them are comparatively discussed as a driver for making the high energy density states. (author)