Experimental configuration for isentropic compression of solids using pulsed magnetic loading

A capability to produce quasi-isentropic compression of solids using pulsed magnetic loading on the Z accelerator has recently been developed and demo nstrated [C. A. Hall, Phys. Plasmas 7, 2069 (2000)]. This technique allows planar, continuous compression of materials to stresses approaching 1.5 Mba r. In initial stages of development, the experimental configuration used a magnetically loaded material cup or disk as the sample of interest pressed into a conductor. This installation caused distortions that limited the abi lity to attach interferometer windows or other materials to the rear of the sample. In addition, magnetic pressure was not completely uniform over sam ple dimensions of interest. A new modular configuration is described that i mproves the uniformity of loading over the sample surface, allows materials to be easily attached to the magnetically loaded sample, and improves the quality of data obtained. Electromagnetic simulations of the magnetic field uniformity for this new configuration will also be presented. Comparisons between data on copper to similar to 300 kbar using the old and new experim ental configurations will also be made. Results indicate that to within exp erimental error, the configurations produce similar results in the pressure -volume plane. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.