Observations of plasma dynamics in the vacuum spark
- Facultad de Fisica, Casilla 306, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 22 (Chile)
- The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2BZ (United Kingdom)
- CEN La Reina, Comision Chilena de Energia Nuclear, Casilla 188-D, Santiago (Chile)
Experimental observations are presented of a vacuum spark driven by a low impedance pulse forming line delivering 100 kA to the load. A pulsed laser is used to form a preionizing plasma on the cathode. The combination of axial and radial optical streak camera observations, together with the time and space resolved soft x-ray emission, permit the evolution of the plasma dynamics, density and temperature to be measured. Three kinds of behavior are observed according to axial position. A close correlation is found between the x-ray and the optical emission, with the observation of micropinch formation. A discussion is presented in which the behavior of the vacuum spark under differing operating conditions is compared. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}.
- OSTI ID:
- 165757
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 2; ISSN 1070-664X; ISSN PHPAEN
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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