Development of a Soft X-Ray Driven Flyer Plate System for Low Pressure Equation of State Studies

Present reflex triode (RT) design performance is limited by debris shield response. The shield designs were derived empirically to satisfy specific experiment requirements. Optimizing the RT design will double target dose. Debris shield deformation definesthe closest permissible location of the test object and therefore determines the maximum dose achievable. The deformation of the debris shield can be reduced without sacrificing transmitted fluence by (a) minimizing the debris shield stimulus and (b) bydesigning a low Z debris shield that minimizes the transient deformation. Ktech proposes to reduce converter and cathode foils impulse by optimizing the material selection, configuration and thickness. Hydrocode analysis will be used to model converterblow off and define the debris shield dynamic loads. Ktech has pioneered the development of thin, large area, high Z foils. Advanced low atomic number, composite honeycomb shield designs achieve a high effective bending modulus and therefore minimizedeformation. This reflex triode optimization approach increases the useful output of existing pulsers without changing the pulsed power systems to provide a needed high fidelity simulator for the examination of thermomechanical response of weapon anddelivery system components.Optimizing the reflex triode and debris shield design will achieve factors of 2 increase in dose allowing simulators to meet customer requirements. Debris shield technology has a myriad of applications including armor systems,blast resistant structures, automobile crash protection systems and personal safety devices.