Simulation of Electromagnetic Implosion of Metal Shells to Obtain Supercritical Fluids

Abstract

This study analyzes the conditions for creating the energy density necessary to obtain supercritical fluids of substances with parameters (temperature T > 1 eV, density N > 1022 cm−3, specific energy density ε > 100 kJ/g). The calculations are carried out on the basis of the one-dimensional (1D) two-temperature (2T) magneto hydrodynamic radiation model, which takes into account the physical processes occurring in the energy storage, switching system and the pulsed plasma load-a cylindrical compressible conductive shell. Developing a mathematical model, we assumed that physical processes were self-consistent. The simulation results were presented as time dependences of the main process parameters. Calculations showed that it becomes possible to sharpen the radiation pulse and pressure in the shock wave. As a result, we formulated the requirements for a laboratory energy source to establish the characteristics of a current pulse flowing through a conductive cylindrical shell and its dimensions (radius and thickness) necessary to achieve the goal.

Keywords

• supercritical fluids
• magneto hydrodynamic radiation model
• shock wave