EXPLOSIVELY PRODUCED MEGAGAUSS FIELDS AND RECENT SOLID-STATE APPLICATIONS

Large magnetic fields may be generated by compression of an initial ma gnetic flux generated over a large area at relatively low magnetic fie ld into a region of smaller area. Following a discussion of flux compr ession principles, we discuss megagauss field systems in use at Los Al amos where chemical explosives are used to compress the flux. Their us e in some solid state experiments will be discussed briefly, including a planned set of experiments on YBCO to be done jointly with a Russia n team, whose aim is to determine the low temperature, critical magnet ic field of YBCO.