Advanced Fast Shutter for Debris Mitigation

In an effort to development more robust optical system coatings DTRA, in collaboration with Sandia National Labs, is working to characterize the degradation of optical materials for space systems when exposed to high intensely EUV/ cold x-rays. The experiments utilizes the Double Eagle z-pinch facility which generates high current, high voltage arc pinch plasma to produce an intense EUV and cold x-ray radiation pulse for exposure of sample coating materials. During this generation process hypervelocity debris and plasma are ejected from the arc which can impact the target causing damage which confounds analysis of the targets radiation degradation. Accurate simulation of the Nuclear Weapon Effects (NWE) illumination requires extreme pinch power levels to achieve representative luminous intensity and beam energy. The relationship between the pinch power levels and the speed of the debris generated limits the luminous intensity that can be generated due to the production of debris that exceeds the stopping capability of currently implemented systems. The first and second generation shutter systems developed and tested in the Phase I SBIR Advanced Electromagnetic Shutter for Hypervelocity Debris Mitigation, demonstrated that it is possible to close a large aperture 57-65 mm in approximately 100 microseconds.