"Mercury remains a highly versatile and configurable platform for testing particle and radiation effects on materials and systems," said NRL Plasma Physics Division Superintendent Joe Penano, Ph.D. "Its low-cost, high-throughput capability make it ideal for developmental research ahead of full-scale testing on the larger national facilities."
The Mercury facility generates powerful high-voltage, high-current pulses-ranging from 2 to 8 million volts and 60 to 350 thousand amps, delivered in bursts lasting just 50 billionths of a second-reaching power levels of approximately 2 terawatts. This capability enables research across multiple disciplines, including plasma physics, electromagnetic circuit effects, and materials science.
"Mercury has been a vital facility for our research community," said NRL Pulsed Power Physics Branch Head Joseph Schumer, Ph.D. "Its unique flexibility has enabled us to push the boundaries of what is possible in pulsed power diode research, and we are proud of our work in the areas of advanced radiographic diodes and radiation sources for national needs."
Since its commissioning on Dec. 7, 2004, the Mercury facility has remained at the forefront of pulsed power-driven beam research. It provides scientists and engineers with a critical resource for studying high-energy phenomena and developing next-generation technologies.
Managed by a dedicated team of physicists, engineers, and pulsed power technicians within NRL's Pulsed Power Physics Branch, the facility reached a major milestone in December 2024 by completing its 3,000th experimental shot. This work has contributed to advancements in flash radiography sources and detectors utilized by the Department of Energy and Department of Defense.
Over the years, NRL has forged strong partnerships with national and international research institutions, universities, military organizations, and industry leaders. These collaborations have helped advance pulsed power-driven technologies and fostered close cooperation with the Department of Energy.
The Mercury facility has supported a wide range of pioneering research projects, including the development of self-magnetically pinched diodes, vacuum rod-pinch diodes, high-energy large-area diodes for detecting smuggled nuclear materials, and cutting-edge diagnostic tools such as gamma-ray cameras and x-ray spectrometers for flash radiography applications.
Related Links
Naval Research Laboratory
Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com
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