Numerical modeling of an ATLAS-like liner experiment driven by an explosive magnetic generator

Summary form only given. The first experiment to implode a solid liner under driving currents comparable to full ATLAS currents was recently completed using an explosive magnetic generator (EMG) designed and built at VNIIEF. Diagnostics, including faraday rotation coils, VISAR, optical pins, and inductive magnetic probes, were jointly fielded in a collaboration between LANL and VNIIEF. We present one- and two-dimensional MHD calculations that were done in support of this experiment. The calculations are consistent with data, but demonstrate a sensitivity to conductivity models. Both data and calculations concur that the final liner velocity exceeded 12 km/s and that the inner surface of the liner was still intact at the time of impact with a Central Measuring Unit. The calculations showed a high level of fluid Rayleigh-Taylor disruption on the outer surface of the liner. The occurrence of this level of instability had little effect on the quality of the inner surface. The calculations indicated that most of the liner had melted before impact, but that the region near the inner surface should still be unmelted. Detailed comparisons between data and calculations will be presented.