The linear transformer driver produces its 100-nanosecond pulse from the get-go. It works so well because its design lowers inductances that ordinarily slow electrical transmission.
It does this in part by eliminating the huge plates and extensive wiring in the current Z machine, all of which generate magnetic fields. In the new system, each brick has almost no wiring. Two capacitors about the size of small thermos bottles are tightly linked to a switch the size of a lunchbox. There is little opportunity to generate magnetic fields that slow the passage of current.
Further, linking the bricks in parallel in a cavity not only adds currents, but decreases inductances to levels significantly less than previously possible. The subsets are then linked in series to add voltages. This allows a very powerful machine to fire very rapidly, with only a thin layer of oil bathing the rings and rows of switches.
(...)
To confirm the new Z concept would take $35 million over five to seven years to build a test bed with 100 cavities. If successful, future generations of Z-like facilities would be constructed with LTDs. Funding thus far has come from two US congressional initiatives through DOE-NNSA Defense Programs, Sandia's internal Laboratory Directed Research and Development monies, and Sandia's Inertial Confinement Fusion program.
"It's like building a tinker toy," says Matzen. "We think we need 60 megamperes to make large fusion yields. But though our simulations show it can be done, we won't know for certain until we actually build it."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070425164930.htm
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