Single Turn Multi-Megagauss System at the NHMFL-LOS Alamos to study plutonium

By utilizing a fast capacitor bank and the single-turn coil technique, a new megagauss system has been commissioned at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The system is specially designed for condensed matter physics experimentation on metallic plutonium and other actinides in extremely high magnetic fields. In addition to special conditions required for handling hazardous samples, the system features 24 synchronous switches at a maximum voltage of 60 kV and a maximum current approaching 4 MA. Peak magnetic fields approaching 300 tesla are predicted for the system. System design and issues related to condensed matter physics experimentation are discussed.