Dynamic Hohlraum Z-Pinches as Radiation Sources for High Energy Density Experiments

Dynamic hohlraum (DH) z-pinches on the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories have proven to be an excellent radiation source for driving high energy density experiments. The Z DH source produces as much as 100 kJ with powers up to 17 TW into a 4-mm diameter, axially-located radiation exit hole above the source. The Sandia Laboratories' ZR upgrade of Z may be able to similarly produce 200 kJ. The complex Z DH radiation source varies in spectral power and timing from shot-to-shot. We are characterizing the source physics through simulation and experiment in order to minimize this variability. We are studying how the complex spatially and temporally-dependent behavior of the DH source affects the performance of a number of axially-located experiments. Using the Z DH as a source, we developed the new blast wave diagnostic, and applied it in a number of novel experiments. A large number of physics issues can be addressed by the Z DH and blast wave diagnostic, including experiments to study opacity, radiation transport and hydrodynamics. We will show how some experiments are quite sensitive to the source details while others are much less so. A synopsis and analysis of recently completed experiments as well as proposals for future work are presented.