title: Time-resolved voltage measurements of Z-pinch radiation sources with a vacuum voltmeter.
abstract: A vacuum-voltmeter (VVM) was fielded on the Saturn pulsed power generator during a series of argon gas-puff Z-pinch shots. Time-resolved voltage and separately measured load current are used to determine several dynamic properties as the load implodes, namely, the inductance, L(t), net energy coupled to the load, E(coupled)(t), and the load radius, r(t). The VVM is a two-stage voltage divider, designed to operate at voltages up to 2 MV. The VVM is presently being modified to operate at voltages up to 6 MV for eventual use on the Z generator.
authors.affiliation: Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Code 6770 Washington, DC 20375, USA.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Commisso
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Apruzese
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Phipps
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mosher