Status of pulsed power/beams/Z-pinch researches in Japan

Fruitful progresses have been achieved in pulsed power technology and its applications in Japan in materials science, environmental, medical, biological, etc. At Nagaoka Univ. of Tech., main efforts are devoted in materials science such as the preparation of thin films or ultrafine nanosized powders (UNP) by high-density ablation plasma produced by pulsed ion beam evaporation. Alternatively, UNPs were produced by rapid cooling of the plasma produced by pulsed wire discharge (PWD) as well. The ablation plasma is also very effective to build-in metals (e.g., tungsten, aluminum, copper) in via holes of LSIs. Flue-gas treatment of NOx is studied by pulsed, relativistic electron beam. At Tokyo Inst. of Tech., studies are carried out on pulse discharge using powders, soft X-ray by capillary discharge, and development of pulse power sources for industrial applications. At Kumamoto Univ., studies are concerned on NOx removal by pulsed power, gas-puff z-pinch, and opening switches. Converting the pulsed power to z-pinches, charged particles beams, or plasma foci have also been carried out in many universities. Systematic studies are carried out under good collaboration among many universities, national laboratories and companies.