Z-pinch devices leverage fusion reactions for highly efficient propulsion. Proper application of this technology could halve the transit time to Mars. However, the exponential growth of instabilities within the plasma present a significant barrier to operationalizing this technology. Application of an external axial magnetic field has been shown to reduce the occurrence of these instabilities stabilizing the plasma and increasing pinch times. The Strongly Coupled Systems Lab's (SCSL) High-Field Magnetic Nozzle Facility (HFMF) seeks to leverage these findings with modern in-situ optimization techniques to find the ideal time-varied regime for the application of an external axial magnetic field to z-pinch devices.
The HFMF has been designed as two large-diameter solenoids in a Helmholtz configuration with integrated liquid cooling. To assist in the design and specification of the system the HelmPRO tool-kit was developed as an open source Python package available at https://github.com/ArenMowreader/HelmPRO.git. Using the HelmPRO package various optimization routines were developed to maximize the magnetic field strength and find optimal operating parameters.
Preliminary results suggest the HFMF will produce a magnetic field of 161 mT significantly exceeding the required 100 mT. Construction of the device will continue in the fall of 2025 upon delivery of the specialized magnet wire. OSGC's support for this project has established a foundation for z-pinch propulsion research at Oregon State, provided an accessible tool-kit for researchers, and brought science workshops to youth detention facilities increasing the accessibility of STEM education.