| The physics department at the University of Nevada, Reno is involved with the study of high energy density (HED) plasma. The physicists are using a 2 TeraWatt Z-Pinch machine to create plasma. The future plan for the physics department is to couple a high-powered laser to the Z-Pinch machine. In order to do this the laser requires the target be within a +/-25micron window.;During each experiment the Z-Pinch machine is subjected to an internal shock causing the machine to move vertically 8mm. The focus of this thesis is to return the Z-Pinch machine to within 1mm of its original position after each experiment. From 1mm, a high accuracy control system can move the target to a +/-25micron.;A structure was designed to that limits the maximum deflection of machine to 1mm during the shock loading. Since the machine never moves more than 1mm it satisfies the 1mm repositioning requirement. |
