Radial wire array Z-pinches as a driver for HEDP experiments

Summary form only given. Radial wire array Z-pinches - array configurations where the wires stretch radially outwards from a central cathode - may present several advantages over cylindrical wire array Z-pinches for driving HEDP experiments. In particular, the implosion of a radial wire array results in the formation of a much smaller, yet still highly emitting, column of stagnated plasma that could be coupled to a compact hohlraum, increasing drive temperatures. Also during implosion this column of plasma is projected above the electrodes, allowing unrestricted diagnostic and experimental access over 2pi steradians. Finally, the radial wire array presents a relatively low inductance load to the pulsed power generator and may be used on long-pulsed, low cost machines. On the 1 MA MAGPIE facility we have explored the implosion and stagnation of radial wire arrays. Here the dependence of the array dynamics and X-ray emission on parameters including cathode diameter, array mass and wire number will be discussed. Initial nested radial wire array experiments that aim to provide shaping of the X-ray pulse will also be presented. Finally predictions of scaling of the radial array to larger current facilities including Saturn and Z will be presented, along with possible hohlraum configurations for HEDP including ICF experiments.