Helical Magneto-Cumulative Generators for Plasma Focus Powering.

High-inductive helical magneto-cumulative generators (MCGs) of 50- and 80-mm diameters intended for a plasma focus (PF) powering are created in VNIIEF. High energy gain, efficient operation into loads to 50 nH, and the possibility of application in combination with the current opening switches are the distinctive features of the generators. Having small sizes and masses, these generators produce current pulses from 400 kA to 1 MA with the rise time of ∼0.5 μs powered with the energy less than 100 J. This paper presents results of experimental research during which the high stability of the MCG operation both on the current amplitude and operation time is shown. Results of the experiments on the PF powered from the MCG, operated in the regime of the magnetic flux extra compression, are presented. The yield of 1012 neutrons per pulse was recorded in the tests with the MCG-80 and PF with D-T mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]