Use of Z-pinch sources for high-pressure equation-of-state studies

In this paper, we describe a new technique for using a pulsed power source (Z pinch) to produce planar shock waves for high-pressure equation of state (EOS) studies. Initial EOS experiments indicate that these sources are effective for shock wave studies in samples with diameters of a few millimeters and thicknesses of a fraction of one millimeter, and thus provide the possibility for achieving accuracy in shock and particle velocity measurements of a few percent. We have used the Z pinch source to produce the first in-situ time-resolve particle velocity profiles obtained with pulsed radiation sources in the Mbar regime. Particle velocity profiles obtained with a VISAR interferometer are compared with 1-D numerical simulations performed with a radiation-hydrodynamics code, ALEGRA. Good agreement with experimental results was achieved in the simulations and suggests that the Z pinch source should be a valuable tool for high-pressure EOS studies in thermodynamic regimes important to hypervelocity impact.