Abstract. Scheme to exploit the magnetic field driven near-isentropic compression of matter and explosion of metallic conductors is explored to attain density and temperatures suitable to generate fusion reactions. A cylindrical metallic shell, containing a capsule of deuterated matter, is radially compressed by (JxB) force and then made to explode ``just at the end'' of current peak by optimum thickness. An attempt is also made to enhance the final pressure at center by allowing the return conductor also to burst. Resultant shock may be directed inwards through the effect of impedance mismatch at different interfaces. A 1-D radiation hydrodynamic code, modified to include ohmic heating and self-generated magnetic field pressures by pulsed currents, is validated against results for some of the reported experiments. The model is then used to simulate a target structure for relatively slow sub-MJ capacitor banks such as the recently commissioned 280 kJ/ 40 kV capacitor bank at Trombay.
IAEA 2001