Linear transformer driver
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A linear transformer driver (LTD) is a cylindrically shaped parallel connection of switches and capacitors designed to deliver rapid high power pulses. The LTD is capable of producing high current, up to 1 MA, pulses with a risetime of less than 100 ns. This is an improvement over Marx generator based pulsed power devices which require pulse compression to achieve such fast risetimes. It is being considered as a driver for z-pinch based inertial confinement fusion.
Sandia National Lab is currently investigating a z-pinch as a possible ignition source for inertial confinement fusion. On its "Z-machine" powered by the LTD, Sandia can achieve dense, high temperature plasmas by firing fast, 100 nanosecond current pulses exceeding 20 million amps through hundreds of tungsten wires with diameters on the order of tens of microns. In cooperation with Sandia, the NERS Department at the University of Michigan is performing experimental research related to the z-pinch. Currently, there is work being done to study the explosions of single wires, and very soon a multi-wire experiment will be up and running.
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