Advances in isentropic compression experiments (ICE) using high explosive pulsed power

We are developing a prototype high explosive pulsed power (HEPP) system to obtain isentropic Equation of State (EOS) data with the Asay technique. Asay, JR (1999). Our prototype system comprises a flat-plate explosive driven magnetic flux compression generator (FCG), an explosively formed fuse (EFF) opening switch, and a series of explosively-actuated closing switches. The FCG is capable of producing /spl sim/10 MA into suitable loads, and, at a length of 216 mm, the EFF will sustain voltages in excess of 200 kV. The load has an inductance of /spl sim/3 to 10 nH, allowing up to /spl sim/7 MA to be delivered in times of /spl sim/0.5 /spl mu/s. This prototype will produce isentropic compression profiles in excess of 2 Mbar in a material such as tungsten. Our immediate plan is to obtain isentropic EOS data for copper at pressures up to /spl sim/1.5 Mbar with the prototype system; eventually we hope to reach several tens of Mbar with more advanced systems.