Optimization of a Ranchero driven high energy liner driver system

An experimental series is planned to implode a dense heavy liner to a velocity in excess of 1 cm/microsecond (10 mm/microsecond) using a RANCHERO coaxial explosive flux compression generator. The goal of this study is to choose the liner mass and starting radius that will deliver the greatest amount of kinetic energy to a target at 1 cm final radius. In this study we used the 1D-MHD simulation code RA YEN to search for the proper initial conditions. The results will be used as a starting point for 2-D simulations and preliminary designs for the first experiments planned in the 2009/2010 time frame. The preliminary results indicate that a liner velocity of 1.25 cm/microsecond and a kinetic energy of greater than 4 megajoules may be possible.