title: Mass-profile and instability-growth measurements for 300-wire Z-pinch implosions driven by 14-18 MA.
abstract: We present the first comprehensive study of high wire-number, wire-array Z-pinch dynamics at 14-18 MA using x-ray backlighting and optical shadowgraphy diagnostics. The cylindrical arrays retain slowly expanding, dense wire cores at the initial position up to 60% of the total implosion time. Azimuthally correlated instabilities at the array edge appear during this stage which continue to grow in amplitude and wavelength after the start of bulk motion, resulting in measurable trailing mass that does not arrive on axis before peak x-ray emission.
authors.affiliation: Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1193, USA. dbsinar@sandia.gov
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Sinars
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Cuneo
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bliss
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deeney
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mazarakis
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Sarkisov
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Wenger