PBFA II, the Pulsed Power Characterization Phase

Abstract : The Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator II, PBFA II, is now the largest pulsed power device in operation. This paper will summarize its first year and a half of operation for the Department of Energy (DOE) Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) program. Thirty-six separate modules provide 72 output pulses that combine to form a 100 TW output pulse at the accelerator center. PBFA II was successfully test fired for the first time on December 11, 1985. This test completed the construction phase (Phase 1) within the expected schedule and budget. The accelerator checkout phase then started (Phase 2). The first priority during checkout was to bring the Phase 1 subsystems into full operation. The accelerator was first tested to determine overall system performance. Next, we modified subsystems that were not performing adequately. The accelerator is now being used for ion diode studies.