Reflex Triode Design Optimization

Survivable shields are a necessary part of many soft x-ray debris mitigation systems that provide ultra clean test environments for nuclear weapons effects testing. Existing test requirements demand ultra large area survivable shields (12 inch diameter).Existing designs are limited to relatively small areas at low fluences and/or impose severe x-ray attenuation penalties. A methodology for the design of ultra large survivable shields is proposed. The Ktech technical approach to optimizing the design ofan ultra survivable shield is to optimally minimize and accommodate the shield response to each of the loads imposed on the shield by the PRS radiation and debris environments through geometric configuration and material selection with the constraint oflow soft x-ray (K line) attenuation. The loads on a survivable shield are a combination of UV induced blow off, pressure loads exerted by expanding plasmas from the PRS source region and from UV filters, particulate debris impacts and radiation inducedline loads and moments. Techniques to eliminate or minimize to the extent possible each of these loads are presented.Survivable shield/window technology is required for nearly all of the test facilities examining the response and survivability of stockpile components/systems to hostile (man made or natural) environments. Large area survivable shields are required for all PRS simulations, for many electron and ion beam tests and for NIF. Survivable window technology is also a critical element in thedesign of ion or electron beam pulsers for surface hardening of materials, waste remediation, semi-conductor fabrication and for medical applications.