Evolution of the structure of the dense plasma near the cross point in exploding wire {ital X} pinches

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.873241· OSTI ID:349357

Shelkovenko, T A; Pikuz, S A; Hammer, D A; Dimant, Y S; Mingaleev, A R ^[1]

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1. Laboratory of Plasma Studies, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 (United States)

The dynamics of the dense plasma near the cross point of an {ital X} pinch has been investigated using 1 ns x-ray backlighting images at different moments relative to the start of 100 ns [full width at half maximum (FWHM)] 200 kA current pulses. If the two metal wires are fine enough (e.g., 10 {mu}m W or 17.5 {mu}m Mo) to form a pinch at the cross point, accompanied by an x-ray burst, with the available current pulse, then the images show three stages of development: a radial explosion/expansion phase; an implosion during which a dense {ital Z} pinch of 200{endash}300 {mu}m length forms at the cross point together with plasma jets which move axially away from that point; and a breaking up of the {ital Z} pinch, coincident in time with one or two x-ray bursts, after which a 300 {mu}m gap opens up. For W, the backlighter minimum sensitivity is 10{sup 17}/cm{sup 2} areal density, and the dense {ital Z} pinch is estimated to have a volume density close to 10{sup 21}/cm{sup 3}. Shock waves appear to be expanding at about 50 {mu}m/ns from the end points of the collapsing {ital Z} pinch, where the plasma was the most dense. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 349357
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 6; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
DYNAMICS
EXPANSION
EXPLODING WIRES
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA JETS
PLASMA PRODUCTION
SHOCK WAVES