Data Acquisition Techniques for Explosive High Current Generators

The Hydrodynamic and X-Ray Physics Group P-22 at Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed hardware, software, and procedures to work with explosively driven high current generators to obtain time resolved data. Data recording in this physically and electrically harsh environment requires special equipment techniques, and processes. There are three distinct areas of consideration to record this class of data First is the explosive shot pad, second is bunker, and third is the data handling and documentation considerations. It is well within the capability of P-22 to provide 100 to 200 data recording channels and to provide 50 to 100 fiber optic data paths to the recording area The equipment has high frequency bandwidths from 20 MHz to 500 MHz. This work has been conducted in various sites in the United States and Russia The work in Russia presents a particular challenge in the areas of planning for the change in AC power voltage and frequency, different coaxial and connector systems, making sure all components and spare equipment are included in the equipment shipped before the experiment.