Development of an Isentropic Compression System Using a Linear Transformer Driver as the Pulsed Power Source

An isentropic compression geometry coupled to a Linear Transformer Driver (LTD) cavity as the pulsed power driver has been designed and developed at the University of New Mexico in Collaboration with the Naval Research Laboratory. The isentropic compression section is comprised of vertical Al sections shorted via a pressed fitting connection and separated by mm sized gap. The width of the shorted sections as well as the applied voltage partly determines the applied dynamic magnetic force and data will be presented for various sized geometries as well as several different operating driving voltages. The principal focus of this paper will be the operating points of the driver and different geometric shorting configuration. Data on 3d printed polymeric substrates is presented concomitantly at this conference utilizing a heterodyne PDV system. The ultimate goal is to use this system and pulsed power driver for dynamic compression of materials of interest to ICF and EoS work.