In this paper, we describe a new technique for using a pulsed power source
(Z pinch) to produce planar shock waves for high-pressure equation of state
(EOS) studies. Initial EOS experiments indicate that these sources are eff
ective for shock wave studies in samples with diameters of a few millimeter
s and thicknesses of a fraction of one millimeter, and thus provide the pos
sibility for achieving accuracy in shock and particle velocity measurements
of a few percent. We have used the Z pinch source to produce the first in-
situ time-resolve particle velocity profiles obtained with pulsed radiation
sources in the Mbar regime. Particle velocity profiles obtained with a VIS
AR interferometer are compared with 1-D numerical simulations performed wit
h a radiation-hydrodynamics code, ALEGRA. Good agreement with experimental
results was achieved in the simulations and suggests that the Z pinch sourc
e should be a valuable tool for high-pressure EOS studies in thermodynamic
regimes important to hypervelocity impact. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. A
ll rights reserved.